Western Mts Chapter Program: Ginseng Talk & Fall Foliage Walk

Talk: The Shifting Paradigm of American Ginseng (Panax quinquefolius) Conservation in Pennsylvania

Speaker: Dr. Eric Burkhart, Program Director for Plant Science, Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center, Penn State University

American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) is a native North American forest plant whose root is harvested for the international medicinal plant trade. Dr. Burkhart will share results from his decade-long studies of Pennsylvania’s evolving ginseng industry. The history, importance, and complexity of the industry will be discussed along with the current status of one of North America’s most valuable, and vulnerable, plants. Dr. Burkhart will conclude by sharing current efforts within Pennsylvania to track the wild ginseng supply and help conserve this species through ‘verified’ agroforestry production.

Field Trip – Exploring New Germany in Fall
Following his program, Dr. Burkhart will lead interested persons on an exploration of New Germany State Park. This mountain gem lies along Meadow Mountain, the eastern Continental Divide. Its many trails pass through a variety of habitats: hemlock and mixed hardwood forests, rhododendron covered streams, old field, and lakeshore. Autumn flowers, fruits, fall colors, and fungi will be the focus during this easy to moderate walk.

This free event is open to the public. It is sponsored by MNPS in cooperation with New Germany State Park. For more details, contact Liz McDowell at lmcdnativeplants @ hughes.net

Registration is not required.

Directions: From I-68 take exit 22 and follow signs for New Germany State Park. Turn left into the park onto McAndrews Hill Road. The program will be held in the Lake House and the walk will leave from there.