As winter’s snow melts and spring awakens Pennsylvania’s natural beauty, we’re greeted with the vibrant colors and delicate blooms of native wildflowers like trilliums, trout-lilies, and spring beauties. However, this springtime spectacle is under threat from invasive species, most notably, Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna).
Lesser Celandine, an herbaceous perennial invasive plant, has taken root across Pennsylvania, aggressively displacing native flora and disrupting the delicate balance of our ecosystems. In some areas, it has already become the dominant spring wildflower, pushing out native plants from their natural habitats. In other areas, the invasion is just beginning, offering us a crucial window of opportunity to intervene and prevent further ecological damage.
This spring, from March 1st to April 30th, we invite you to join PA iMapInvasives and the Western PA Conservancy in a collaborative effort to map and monitor Lesser Celandine populations. By participating in this statewide survey, you’ll play a vital role in uncovering the full extent of this invasive plant’s spread and identifying areas where intervention is most needed.
Webinar Training: Learn How to Participate
To prepare you for this important survey, the Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is hosting a webinar training session with Invasive Plant Ecologist Brian Daggs and PA iMapInvasives Program Coordinator Amy Jewitt.
Date: Thursday, February 27th at 11:00 AM
Survey Period: March 1st – April 30th
During this webinar, you’ll learn:
- How to accurately identify Lesser Celandine.
- How to report your findings using iMapInvasives.
- Essential event logistics and survey guidelines.
This training is essential for anyone interested in contributing to the “Lesser Celandine Seekers” survey. By learning how to identify and report Lesser Celandine, you’ll be empowering yourself to make a real difference in protecting our native ecosystems.
Why Your Participation Matters
Your contributions to this survey will help us:
- Understand the current distribution of Lesser Celandine in Pennsylvania.
- Identify areas where control and management efforts are most critical.
- Protect our native wildflowers and preserve the biodiversity of our natural areas.
Join us in this vital effort to safeguard our spring blooms and protect the natural heritage of Pennsylvania. Every observation counts!