I was hiking recently at the Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, and I was thinking about how it relates to international shipping. A few things came to mind.
First, we must address the people that did not know PA had a Grand Canyon. It really is not a canyon, but a deep river gorge cut through some mountains, although it still is pretty cool. Lots of trees and lots of steps if you decide to hike down to the river.
At the bottom of the trail is Pine Creek. They had a display board that showed this area completely clear cut of all timber in the early 1900’s. It is true that the old growth hemlocks and pine trees are gone, but the area has been reforested over the last century.
That reforestation effort was no small feat. Decades of intentional preservation, replanting, and environmental stewardship have helped restore the lush greenery that now draws thousands of visitors each year. It’s a beautiful example of what’s possible when nature is allowed to recover — and a reminder of how quickly it can all be undone.
So, what does all of this have to do with anything international? Some clients must deal with fumigation of their cargo. Anything on wood is to be either fumigated or heat-treated wood. The purpose is to stop invasive pests that are completely capable of devastating local forests. Pennsylvania is a large producer of hardwood and hardwood products. The Spotted Lanternfly is one of those invasive insects.
The Spotted Lanternfly was introduced into Pennsylvania in 2014. It is native to China. The experts are not sure exactly how the bug arrived, but I am willing to state that an ocean container was likely involved. It really is every importer’s and exporter’s responsibility to guarantee that regulations are followed.
As someone who works in international logistics and takes these regulations seriously, it’s alarming to see the potential impact firsthand. These aren’t just rules — they exist to protect ecosystems like the one I hiked through that day.
The devastation SLFs can cause.
If the Spotted Lanternfly moves out of the quarantine zone, the PA Grand Canyon could look just like it did 100 years ago — stripped of native trees and covered in ecological damage. These insects feed on over 70 types of plants, including grapevines, maple, black walnut, and birch trees. The economic impact could stretch far beyond forests, hitting agriculture, landscaping, and local tourism.
That beautiful view, the shade of tall trees, and the wildlife that depend on them could disappear if we don’t stay vigilant. Prevention starts at the source — with proper packaging, treatment, and awareness in global trade.
My hike was pretty scenic. If the Spotted Lanternfly moves out of the quarantine zone the PA Grand Canyon could look just like it did 100 years ago.
Written By: Scott Hoffman
