The National Park Service will improve ecological health on over 7,000 acres and promote resilience of high ecological and cultural value forest ecosystems in several Northeast parks most at risk of forest loss due to chronic and interacting stressors: invasive shrubs, pests/pathogens, and extreme storm events. By strategically removing high-priority invasive plants and then planting native tree seedlings that can adapt to changing conditions, this project will reverse trends in forest loss and promote resilience of high-priority forest ecosystems that have been damaged by insect pests and/or severe storms. This will make park forests more resilient to climate change and disturbance, ensuring these forests will be preserved for future generations.

Why? Forests in the Northeast provide important ecosystem services, providing vital food and habitat for endangered species such as the northern long-eared bat, and contributing to the well-being of local communities. Ecosystem services include storing carbon, preventing flooding, and reducing the impacts of climate change. Forests also provide social and economic benefits.

What else? Access to open space has a positive impact on a person’s quality of life. Removing invasive species and restoring forests benefits people, plants, animals and our shared environment.