Evening on the Lake: Insect Invaders: A Battle for our Park’s Native Forests.

Park Event · Johnstown Flood National Memorial · Aug 25, 2026 · 7:00 PM–8:00 PM

Insect Invaders: A Battle for our Park’s Native Forests

Invasive insects are changing the face of forests in the National Parks of the Northeast United States. These destructive insects are non-native species that have escaped into areas where they do not occur naturally and have no natural enemies, so their populations can explode causing devastation to our forests.

Infestations have caused the elimination of large canopy trees such as our native ash, oak, maples, and hemlock species. This presentation dives into how these bugs are affecting our parklands and how the National Parks of Western Pa are fighting back against one of these species, the emerald ash borer.

This program is presented by park ranger Margaret Speicher. The program begins at 7:00 p.m. in the visitor center theater. No reservations are required for these free programs.

Our Evening on the Lake series is sponsored by Friends of Johnstown Flood National Memorial.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).