AUSTIN — A program on invasive plants, and how fields, forests and streams are under attack by the vegetation, will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday at Sinnemahoning State Park.

The event, conducted by park staff and members of the First Fork Watershed Association, will teach participants how to identify the most common invasive plants of Cameron and Potter counties and discover the new species that threaten to invade the area. The program will also teach participants how to take action by helping survey the most susceptible habitats of the park, the tributaries and wetlands, for the invasive plants.

The data collected by the survey will be used this year by State Park staff to develop an Invasive Species Management Plan, or ISMP, for the park. A plant is considered invasive if it is not native to the ecosystem, and it causes or is likely to cause economic, environmental or human harm. An ISMP is a plan that provides strategies and recommendations to prevent and control invasive species and addresses appropriate habitat restoration, staff training and public outreach and education.

The survey activity will be followed by a pot-luck luncheon and a meeting of the watershed association at the 40 Maples Day Use Area.

The watershed association is a non-profit organization established to protect and enhance the streams in the watershed of the First Fork Sinnemahoning Creek in Potter and Cameron counties. The projects include stream bank stabilizations and habitat improvements to benefit residents, camp owners and other visitors who enjoy fishing, hunting, bird-watching, photography and other outdoor recreation.

The watershed association meeting is open to the public and new members are welcome.

For more information about the watershed association, contact Kathy Mitchell at (814) 274-3333 or by email at mom.mitchell@gmail.com.

To register for the Invasive Plant Survey or for more information about park programs, call the park office at (814) 647-8401.