Nine-Year-Old Finds Rare Plant in Elk County

A group of WPC members accompanied WPC Ecologist Beth Brokaw on a site visit to some wetlands in the Quehanna Wild Area in Elk County last week, as part of her data collection for the Elk County Natural Heritage Inventory. While there, WPC member Matt Sampson's son, Luke, pictured today, rediscovered a rare plant, specifically a Creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula). The plant was first discovered at that site in 1984.

The inventory, one of many WPC is assembling for western Pennsylvania counties, pulls together information from many sources, including data collected during the study. When information is combined, studied and prioritized, the inventory presents a picture of the unique and important living resources in the county: what they are, where they are, and what they require to survive. His discovery will become a part of the Elk County Natural Heritage Inventory.

Final results of this inventory will provide a list of the most important biological sites, identify the resources and map their locations. Sites are prioritized and include recommendations regarding the management of the biological resources present. The inventory results in a written report and maps of the entire county with Natural Heritage Areas identified. County agencies, municipalities and other interested parties identified by the county and advisory committee receive copies of the report. Residents and the general public can reference the reports through county agencies, libraries and the Internet.

Congratulations to Luke for this important ecological find.

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