ST. LUCIE CO., Fla. — St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department is partnering with Bok Towers Gardens to host additional volunteer events that will help ensure the survival of a very rare endangered plant species.
The county seeks volunteers to assist in the removal of exotic and overgrown vegetation at the Lakela’s Mint Preserve to protect the endemic Lakela’s Mint population from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the following dates: Friday, Nov. 3; Friday, Dec. 1, Friday, Feb. 2; Friday, March 2 and Friday, April 6.
Located at 5600 North U.S. 1, adjacent to the Ocean Discovery Center at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the preserve is home to one of the largest wild populations of the federally endangered Lakela’s Mint, which is only found at 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. Sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent are also recommended. 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 Department 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 and help become a steward to one of the world’s rarest plant species.
–St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department
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