ST. LUCIE CO., Fla. — St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department is proud to once again be partnering with Bok Towers Gardens to host monthly volunteer restoration events that will help ensure the survival of a very rare endangered plant species. Staff is seeking volunteers to assist in the removal of exotic and overgrown vegetation at the county’s Harbor Branch Preserve to protect the endemic Lakela’s Mint population.
These restoration events take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the following days:
- Friday, Dec. 7
- Saturday, Jan. 5
- Friday, Feb. 1
- Saturday, March 2
- Friday, April 5
Located at 5600 U.S. 1 North Fort Pierce, adjacent to the Ocean Discovery Center at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, this preserve houses one of the largest wild populations of the federally endangered Lakela’s Mint, which is only found a few places in St. Lucie and Indian River counties, and nowhere else in the world.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, hand-tools and water. Bring sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent, if you desire. Additional water will be provided, along with a light lunch. Volunteers will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to working.
Anyone interested in volunteering should contact the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources staff at 772- 462-2526 or email thompsonam@stlucieco.org. Space is limited to 30 volunteers per day, so please sign-up early to reserve your space to help become a steward to one of the world’s rarest plant species.
–St. Lucie County
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