Contact: Linda Friar, 305-242-7714 Contact: Kevin Bowles Mohr, 305-242-7752
Help Your National Park this Arbor Day In recognition of Arbor Day, Everglades National Park will host a volunteer event to protect our native trees and their habitat from exotic plant species. On Saturday, April 30, 2011, join park staff at the Chekika area of the park and assist in the removal of invasive plants to help restore the natural landscape. Due to the tropical environment of south Florida, common house plants and ornamental landscaping shrubs have become invasive weeds in the Everglades. These weeds outgrow and compete with the natural vegetation for sunlight, water, and space. Instead of planting a tree for Arbor Day, Everglades’ staff have decided to remove the weeds so native trees can survive. For this project, volunteers will pull up by hand an exotic plant called Syngonium and use loppers to cut back a larger exotic plant, Brazilian Pepper. Volunteers will meet in the Chekika parking lot at 9:00 am. The early morning will be the most pleasant working conditions for removing the exotic plants. Be prepared for hot and humid weather. Participants are required to wear long-sleeved shirts, sneakers, and long pants to protect against exposure to sun, stinging insects, poisonwood, and ivy. Please bring a lunch, water, a hat, and sunglasses. All are invited. To volunteer, show up or RSVP with Cerisa Swanberg at (305) 242-7040. Directions: Physical Address - 24200 SW 160th Street, Miami, FL -NPS- |
Last updated: April 14, 2015