The Pennsylvania Governor’s Invasive Species Council this week highlighted the importance of Shapiro Administration investments in protecting native plants, insects, and animals during the fifth annual Pennsylvania Native Species Day in the East Wing Rotunda of the State Capitol.
The Department of Agriculture-led advisory council brings state agencies, local governments, and environmental organizations together to make recommendations and spearhead strategies to tackle invasive species threats to our economy and environment and promote benefits of nurturing native plants and animals.
Council member agencies shared the importance of Native Species Day and highlighted how their respective departments were investing in a sustainable future for Pennsylvania’s ecosystems.
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture continues to invest in science-based solutions that protect native ecosystems, safeguard agricultural resources, and strengthen the Commonwealth’s resilience against invasive species and emerging threats.
“Pennsylvania agriculture depends on healthy ecosystems and thriving native species – from pollinators necessary to produce crops to native plants that protect soil and water quality,” said PA Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding. “Native Species Day is an opportunity to celebrate the natural resources that sustain our farms and communities and to reaffirm our commitment to conservation, stewardship, and environmental resilience across the Commonwealth.”
Pennsylvania has expanded efforts to combat invasive pests that threaten both natural habitats and agricultural production. The Department continues aggressive surveillance, treatment, and public education campaigns targeting the spotted lanternfly, an invasive insect first detected in Berks County in 2014.
Through statewide monitoring, research investments, quarantine enforcement, and partnerships with industry and federal agencies, Pennsylvania has slowed the pest’s spread while protecting the Commonwealth’s $1.77 billion grape and wine industry, nursery crops, forests, and other vulnerable plants.
Emerging agricultural pests
The Department is also leading efforts to address emerging agricultural pests, including the destructive Phorid fly that threatens Pennsylvania’s mushroom industry. Through more than $627,000 in research investments and a new $1 million grant program, Pennsylvania is helping growers implement environmentally responsible, science-based pest management practices that protect crops while minimizing impacts on surrounding communities and ecosystems.
Recently, the Administration announced two research grants of more than $366,000 awarded to The Pennsylvania State University College of Agriculture Sciences to study control measures for mushroom flies and lanternflies.
Protecting native species
The Shapiro Administration is making significant investments to protect Pennsylvania’s native species, restore ecosystems, and help communities become active partners in conservation.
“Native plants are the foundation of Pennsylvania’s ecosystems as they support pollinators and wildlife, strengthen forests and waterways, and help ensure clean air and water for future generations,” said PA Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn.
Through the Pennsylvania Invasive Replace-ive (PAIR) Program, more than 2,200 Pennsylvanians have removed invasive plants from their properties and received over 2,275 native trees distributed through regional events across the Commonwealth. The initiative, a partnership among six agencies and organizations, combines hands-on conservation with public education, helping residents understand the critical role native plants play in supporting pollinators, wildlife, clean water, and healthy ecosystems.
Restoring habitat
Pennsylvania is also expanding efforts to restore habitat and increase tree canopy, investing more than $28 million since 2016 to establish approximately 4,000 acres of riparian forest buffers, resulting in the planting of an estimated 735,000 trees. In urban communities, nearly 7,000 trees were planted in 2025 alone, supported by $13.3 million in grants for urban and community forestry projects since 2022. DCNR also held an invasive-replacive event at Soldier’s Grove.
The Pennsylvania Game Commission (PGC) continues to make strategic investments in native species of wildlife and quality habitats to sustain them. Since July of 2024 the agency has planted more than 100,000 native trees and shrubs, improved more than 1,250 acres of wildlife habitat with native and beneficial vegetation, and actively managed more than 10,000 acres of wetlands to support Pennsylvania’s native birds, amphibians, pollinators, and aquatic species.
Wetland projects
The Game Commission also advanced large-scale wetland restoration projects through the Pennsylvania Wetland Habitat Initiative and partnered with private landowners to develop or enhance 338 conservation plans, improving more than 22,800 acres of habitat statewide. These efforts are helping ensure Pennsylvania’s native plants and wildlife can thrive for future generations while supporting healthy ecosystems, clean water, and resilient landscapes across the Commonwealth.
Through partnerships with other agencies, including the Department of Agriculture, DCNR, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Game Commission, and PennDOT, the PFBC continues to invest in habitat improvement projects and other initiatives that benefit native aquatic species.
PA Game Commission: 2026-27 migratory game bird season set
Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 migratory game bird seasons have been set.
Annual migratory game bird seasons are selected by states from frameworks established by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Game Commission selections were made after reviewing last year’s hunter harvests, population survey data and public input.
There are two significant changes to Pennsylvania waterfowl seasons this year.
First, in the Atlantic Population Zone in southeastern Pennsylvania, the length of the regular Canada goose season has increased from 30 days to 45 days, and the daily bag limit has increased from one bird to three birds.
Second, the start and end dates of the light goose regular season in both goose zones have shifted later, and a decision on whether a conservation season will be held will be made at a later date.
Other migratory game bird seasons are similar to last year’s seasons. This includes Sundays remaining closed to migratory game bird hunting in the 2026-27 season.
Under federal frameworks, Pennsylvania migratory game bird hunters will continue to have the same total number of hunting days for each species as hunters in Atlantic Flyway states that do allow Sunday hunting for migratory game birds.
The Board of Commissioners elected to maintain the Sunday hunting closure for migratory birds based on information obtained from focus groups, a public survey, and the annual public comment period, but will continue to investigate the issue for 2027-28.
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