Could climate change shift the conversation on this invasive species?

Winters along the Delaware River and its tributaries can lead to picturesque scenes of snow-topped phragmites swaying in the wind.

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The harvesting session, called Phrag Fest, kicks off an ecological art project by artist Sarah Kavage (not pictured). (Rachel Wisniewski for WHYY)

The harvesting session, called Phrag Fest, kicks off an ecological art project by artist Sarah Kavage (not pictured). (Rachel Wisniewski for WHYY)

[This article was originally published by The Delaware News Journal in partnership with WHYY.]

On some summer mornings during Delaware’s prime beach season, Todd Fritchman can be spotted running along the sandy shores of the Atlantic Ocean or coaching squads of Baywatch look-a-likes on rip currents and rescues in Dewey Beach.

But when his towel is hanging up for the day, he might be found waging a war that’s decades in the making against one of the region’s most invasive coastal species.

And no, they’re not tourists.

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