MEDIA CONTACT: Niki Spencer
561-686-6600, nspencer@fau.edu
Kristine M. McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu

Pine Jog Environmental Education Center
Eradicates Problem Plants with ERM Grant

BOCA RATON, FL (June 11, 2004) - The Pine Jog Environmental Education Center destroyed thousands of the county's most well known invasive plants thanks to a generous matching grant from Palm Beach County's Department of Environmental Resources Management.

Launched in 2003, the Public Lands Grant Program provides funds to eligible public agencies to control the spread of invasive plants in natural areas. Pine Jog's grant proposal, which was ranked number one by the county, asked for $35,100 and provided matching funds, staff, volunteer time and other cash expenses. As a result, the combined project directed more than $70,000 towards invasive plant removal at the 150 acre site. The invasive plants targeted for removal included Melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, old world climbing fern, air potato, Schefflera, Australian pine, ear leaf acacia and carrotwood.
Pine Jog had extensive exotic species as a result of changes to water levels after canals drained what was originally wetland in the early 1900s. Soil disturbance from farming and horticultural activities and seed dispersal from birds and other wildlife likely aided the spread of invasive plants all over Florida.

As a result of the grant, Pine Jog cleared more than 300 30'-50' tall Australian pines and Melaleuca trees, and pulled tens of thousands of seedlings of all eight species. Brazilian pepper, carrotwood, and ear leaf acacia were killed with herbicide sprays but were left standing to provide cover for native birds and wildlife. More than 10 acres of air potato was killed with herbicides. Volunteers and staff returned to the areas throughout the year to pick bulbils and tubers to keep the plants from spreading again.

More than 200 volunteers contributed more than 900 hours to rid the property of invasive plants. Volunteers included students, scout troops and their parents, business partners, alternative schools, community service workers and people from Jupiter to Wellington and south to Boca Raton. Only maintenance and monitoring of the property can ensure the invasive species will not return to Pine Jog and volunteers will be essential in that effort.

In addition, Pine Jog created an environmental education program called Alien Invaders as part of the ERM grant. The program is for children ages 8-11 and educates them about invasive species, how they harm the land and why these plants need to be removed.

For more information, contact Norma Jeanne Byrd at njbyrd@fau.edu.

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