WEED WRANGLES: COMMUNITY-DRIVEN SOLUTIONS IN ACTION FOR INVASIVE SPECIES MANAGEMENT
Natural Resources/Aquaculture
Bonnie Wells
Extension Agent III, Commercial Horticulture
University of Florida
Cocoa
Abstract
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Extension and the East Central Florida (ECF) Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) task group spearheaded two community-driven workdays, or “weed wrangles,” targeting education and removal of two important invasive plant species: water primrose (Ludwigia hexapetala) and Brazilian peppertree (Schinus terebinthifolia). On the St. Johns River in Brevard County, 15 volunteers and five airboats were deployed to survey for and remove water primrose, a regional priority early detection/rapid response (EDRR) species. In addition, Brazilian peppertrees, which are Category I invasives, were targeted in Volusia County along the Halifax River at Sunrise Park in Holly Hill. Thirty-five volunteers representing diverse CISMA partners participated, demonstrating proper removal strategies, and emphasizing the significance of collaborative engagement in invasive species management. Workdays encompassed three key components: targeting priority species, involving partners in removal techniques and species identification, and engaging the broader community in invasive species removal for educational purposes. Initiatives contributed to the overall ECF CISMA mission of managing and surveying invasive species, particularly priority control of EDRR species. By involving both UF/IFAS Extension and CISMA partners and the public, we achieved tangible results in removing invasive species and fostered a sense of environmental stewardship. Two-hundred forty pounds of Ludwigia was successfully removed from the St. Johns River, while 60 cubic yards of peppertrees were removed from Sunrise Park in Holly Hill. Hands-on experiences in removal techniques and species identification enhance public awareness and empower communities to actively participate in protecting their local ecosystems. These community-driven efforts play a crucial role in preventing and managing invasive species and safeguarding the ecological balance and biodiversity of the East Central Florida region and beyond.
Authors: Bonnie Wells
-
Bonnie Wells Extension Agent III, Commercial Horticulture, University of Florida IFAS Extension Brevard County, Florida, 32926