Controlling invasive species in Pennsylvania

This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week

• Scott LaMar/WITF
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Brian Henderson / Flickr

An adult spotted lanternfly in Salford Township, Montgomery county, Pennsylvania.

Airdate: Thursday, March 3, 2022

The spotted lantern fly, emerald ash borer, snake head fish, and kudzu are all examples  of the large number of invasive plants, insects and aquatic animals in Pennsylvania.

This week is National Invasive Species Awareness Week. Invasive species are non-native plants, animals, pathogens, and microorganisms. They can be found on land or in water.

Once they become established in areas outside their normal habitat range, they are capable of causing severe damage, including harming the economy, the environment, or human health.

Pennsylvania certainly has its share of invasive species in the form of insects and plants that have caused a lot of damage.

Joining us on Thursday’s Smart Talk are James Grazio, Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection Great Lakes Biologist and Fred Strathmeyer, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Deputy Secretary for Plant Industry and Consumer Protection.

The Associated Press and WITF’s democracy reporter Jordan Wilkie are partnering to tell stories about how Pennsylvania elections work, and to debunk misinformation surrounding elections. 

Read the stories here