Date: September 18, 2012
Contact: General Park Information, 305-242-7700
Contact: Media Contact - Linda Friar, 305-242-7714
In recognition of National Public Lands Day, join staff at Everglades National Park and volunteer Saturday, September 29, 2012. Volunteers should come to the Shark Valley park entrance off of US 41 and assist in trail maintenance for safety and 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. For this project volunteers will be removing a large exotic plant, Brazilian Pepper, and bag it for disposal.
"One third of America's land is yours. Consider spending 1/365 of your time preserving it." ~ Anonymous
Volunteers will meet at the Shark Valley Entrance at 8:30 am. The new visitor center is currently under construction so parking is limited. We encourage volunteers to consider car-pooling as much as possible.
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, biting insects, poisonwood, and ivy. Please bring a lunch, water bottle, hat, and sunglasses. Participating volunteers will receive a free entry pass, enabling each volunteer to visit the Everglades for free again and share this unique National Park with their family and friends.
All are invited. To volunteer, show up or RSVP with Laurie Humphrey at (305) 221-8776 or email Laurie.Humphrey@nps.gov
Directions: Physical Address - 36000 SW 8th St. Miami, FL 33194
Shark Valley Visitor Center is located on Highway 41 (Tamiami Trail / SW 8th St.) 25 miles west of the Florida Turnpike, exit 25A (from the north) and exit 25 (from the south).
From the Naples area, take U.S. 41 (Tamiami Trail) approximately 70 miles east to Shark Valley.
