Our featured speaker, Steven Schwartz, will present his findings from a multiphase knotweed management and research project that he managed with Friends of the Upper Delaware. The management goal was to introduce private landowners to various ways to control knotweed and help them to set management objectives. Three demonstration sites were established with 5 treatments in each site. The research focused on determining the extent of knotweed in the Upper Delaware River watershed, the distribution of the three species of knotweed, and the effect of knotweed establishment on soil retention and sediment transport which may impact water quality.

Steven Schwartz is a resident of the Upper Delaware River watershed living on 20 acres of forested riverfront in Equinunk, PA. His career has included stints working in land conservation, the development of office buildings for nonprofits, web development and technology startups. His property supports a robust stand of ramps (wild leeks) which he sells to restaurants and also offers Ramps U-Pick where people come to learn about ramps, how to sustainably harvest, and then dig some for their culinary needs or to transplant onto their property. The property also hosts a number of invasive species including Japanese Knotweed. Over the last 18 years he has struggled to manage and control it along with other invasives.

During the meeting, Partners will share findings in invasive species outreach and management in the Catskills.