Topics, Projects & Resources

Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) are non-native plants, animals, or pathogens that cause harm to the environment, the economy, native species, and human or animal health. They can be introduced unintentionally through activities like boating or fishing, but can also be intentionally released by aquarium pet owners or by dumping live bait into a waterbody.  No matter how they arrive, invasive species can wreak havoc and impact entire ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and cost communities and the state millions of dollars to remediate. Pennsylvania Sea Grant offers a variety of resources, trainings, and other outreach activities to help stop the spread of AIS.

Pennsylvania’s aquatic habitats play a critical role in three of the world’s greatest water resources – the Lake Erie, Delaware River, and Susquehanna River watershed ecosystems. Natural resource managers and decision makers face political and ecosystem challenges in attempts to keep coastal ecosystems healthy. Responsible management of these systems requires new ways of thinking and actions, often termed ecosystem-based management. PA Sea Grant is a leader in developing regional approaches to understanding and maintaining healthy coastal ecosystems. Our staff directs efforts to identify information gaps across the Commonwealth, implements research priorities to address those gaps, and coordinates information and technology transfer to the people who need it.

Communities across Pennsylvania are experiencing the challenges of a changing climate, extreme weather events, and shrinking natural resources. Resiliency refers to a community’s ability to adapt and thrive despite the threats. Pennsylvania Sea Grant works to improve resiliency by connecting partners, decision-makers, and communities to each other, and to the timely and relevant resources that can lead to informed policy decisions, supported economies, and healthy, resilient communities.

Invasive terrestrial species include plants such as trees, shrubs, vines, grasses and herbaceous plants, animals, such as mammals, reptiles, arachnids, birds, and nematodes; or pathogens (disease causing organisms) such as molds, fungus, bacteria and viruses. PA Sea Grant provides educational programs and resources to help public and private landowners and natural resource managers to identify and deal with terrestrial invasive species.

Working together with external partners, our watershed and water quality activities take place in the Lake Erie watershed, and in the Susquehanna and Delaware River Basins. All projects seek to increase the level of public understanding and knowledge of watershed issues, and to maintain healthy coastal ecosystems.  Activities include:

• Identify and improve water quality and quantity issues.
• Plan, design, and implement priority stream restoration and stormwater infrastructure projects.
• Implement other water-related best management practices that provide numerous and long-lasting benefits for people and the environment.