Introduction
Caraline Herb- I am a Sophomore at Penn State Berks, and I like to bake and play sports. I also like to spend time with my friends and family.
Yen Nhi Hoang – I am a Junior at Penn State Berks. I like to cook and bake, and I also like to play video games and sleep. I like to travel the world.
Grace Kagan – I am a freshman at Penn State Berks. I like to read, take walks with my dog, and hang out with my friends in my free time. I work a lot in my free time off campus!
Research
We researched the impact that invasive species have on local native plant biodiversity, pollinators, and wildlife. Our research talks about the impact that invasive species have on the local Wyomissing area. The main invasive species that we focused our research on is the Chinese Silver Grass, which we cut down in the Wyomissing Park. This invasive species impacts many other native species and can overpopulate, making it difficult to remove.
Service
Our team successfully removed the invasive species, Chinese Silver Grass, from Wyomissing Park. We spent 8 hours removing this plant and were able to remove our entire area of it. We first had to remove the seeds of the plant that are located at the top because if we did not remove this part, the plant could reproduce very easily. We then cut the bottom of the plant. The park team will put a black tarp over the whole area over the winter to completely kill everything.
Reflection
From this project, we gained so much knowledge about invasive species. We also learned that they affect so much more than just taking over the area that they are in. This project taught us so much, and we will always check to make sure the next plant that we plant is not invasive. Participating in our EACAP project has been a rewarding and eye-opening experience. Working on removing the invasive Chinese silver grass in Wyomissing Borough gave us a real sense of contributing to environmental conservation and community improvement. It was fulfilling to see firsthand how invasive plants can impact local ecosystems, and how hands-on efforts like ours help native plants and wildlife thrive. Through this project, we gained not only practical skills in environmental management, such as identifying and safely removing invasive species, but also a deeper appreciation for teamwork and community service. Collaborating with teams and volunteers taught us the value of patience, persistence, and working together toward a shared goal. It also reminded us that small, consistent actions can create meaningful change in our local environment. Our message to the youth is that you should always try to make an impact in your community, and it can be as simple as removing invasive species. The impact that you make is very strong just with a few hours of work.
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