ST. LUCIE CO., Fla. — St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department (ERD) is scheduled to begin prescribed fire efforts on portions of Cypress Creek Preserve on Monday, March 5 through the next few weeks, weather permitting. Cypress Creek Preserve is a newly acquired 780-acre property in western St. Lucie County near State Road 70 and the St. Lucie/Okeechobee County line. ERD will be partnering with the Florida Forest Service and Florida Parks Service to combine/share resources to accomplish the objects of this prescribed fire. This preserve is currently not open to the public.
Prescribed fire mimics natural fire cycles needed in Florida to restore healthy forests and ecosystems. The process also reduces undergrowth that accumulates over time and decreases the potential for wildfire. Lands where prescribed fire has been administered experience an increase in native wildflowers, bird life, and other wildlife. To learn more about the benefits of prescribed fire visit –Â www.goodfires.org.
The preserves owned and managed by St. Lucie County were purchased through a voter-approved bond referendum, St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department manages more than 10,000 acres that are open to the public for passive recreation. Environmental Resources staff plans to conduct several more prescribed fires throughout the preserve system over the next several months, weather conditions permitting.
For more information about the County’s preserve or prescribed fire program system visit www.stlucieco.gov/erd or contact Environmental Resources at 772-462-2525.
–St. Lucie County
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