One highlight is the reinvigoration of the Pennsylvania Plant Conservation Alliance.
The joint Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and PNHP program has evolved by expanding its focus to implement stewardship and recovery of 17 globally rare plant taxa in Pennsylvania, including curating partnerships outside of DCNR to help achieve species’ conservation goals.
To assist with ex situ conservation goals the PCA is partnering with several regional botanic gardens and field stations.
Currently, we work with Longwood Gardens, Powdermill Nature Reserve of Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Natural Lands, Mt. Cuba Center, and Pittsburgh Botanic Garden for assistance in holding and curating ex situ living collections of PCA focal species.
These collections allow us to have populations represented outside of the wild in the event that a population would experience decline or loss.
Another form of long-term ex situ conservation is the use of seed banks that store seeds in controlled conditions.
Currently the PCA seedbanks with both Longwood Gardens and the Missouri Botanical Garden Work for our PCA species will continue through site stewardship and landowner engagement.
Future goals are to work with more private landowners with PCA species on their lands, provide site conservation plans, and potentially assist with management.
We want to grow our list of partners and volunteers as we standardize protocols and find new areas for collaboration so that we can save all the globally vulnerable and imperiled plant taxa in Pennsylvania.
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The PA Natural Heritage Program is a partnership between the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Game Commission, Fish and Boat Commission, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, the US Fish and Wildlife & Wildlife Services and public and private funders.
The Program offers the Pennsylvania Conservation Explorer online tool-- a one stop show for conservation planning and PNDI environmental permit reviews.
It is also a member of NatureServe, an international network of state, provincial, and national natural heritage programs and conservation data centers.
Related Articles This Week:
-- PA Society For Ornithology Accepting Applications For Conservation Partner Organizations For The 2026 Breeding Bird Blitz [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Feb. 3 Webinar On Exploring Nature Through Journaling For Citizen Scientists, Educators, Outdoor Enthusiasts [PaEN]
-- Penn State Extension Hosts Feb. 18 Webinar On Biting Pests - Why Are There So Many Ticks? [PaEN]
[Posted: December 23, 2025] PA Environment Digest
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