MEDIA CONTACT: Gisele Galoustian
561-297-2010, ggaloust@fau.edu

FAU’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center Continues to Eradicate Invasive Plants through Matching Grant

Palm Beach County’s Department of Environmental Resources Awards $8,131 for Program

BOCA RATON, FL (June 27, 2006) – Florida Atlantic University’s Pine Jog Environmental Education Center located in West Palm Beach and part of FAU’s College of Education will continue its efforts to eradicate the most invasive plants to South Florida on its property through a 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 non-native plants in natural areas. Pine Jog previously received funds in 2003-2004 and is currently in the management phase of controlling invasive species at its 150-acre site. The 2005-2006 grant for $8,131 was matched by Pine Jog and included time and support from its staff and volunteers as well as other cash expenses. The combined $16,262 matching grant has been directed toward the invasive plant removal project. In addition, as part of the grant, Pine Jog created an environmental education program that targets middle and high school students. This program explores the reasons why non-native invasive plants harm the delicate ecosystems and gives the students an opportunity to participate in community service by helping to remove these plants.

Eight of the county’s most invasive species of plants were found at Pine Jog and those targeted for removal included melaleuca, Brazilian pepper, old world climbing fern, air potato, schefflera, Australian pine, ear leaf acacia and carrotwood. As a result of this grant, Pine Jog cleared hundreds of ear leaf acacia and Brazilian pepper trees ranging in size from eight to 15 feet and pulled thousands of seedlings of all eight species of plants. Brazilian pepper, carrotwood and ear leaf acacia were cut down, and their stumps were treated with herbicide. In addition, approximately 10 acres were cleared of air potato by manually removing the bulbils from the ground and retrieving them along the vines.

Pine Jog had extensive exotic species as a result of early changes to water levels after canals drained what was originally wetland in the early 1900s. Soil disturbance from farming and horticulture activities and seed dispersal from birds and other wildlife likely aided the spread of invasive plants in Florida.

Volunteers play a crucial role in controlling invasive plants at Pine Jog. Nearly 100 volunteers contributed 250 hours for this project and included students, scout troops and their parents and community service workers throughout the county.

The Pine Jog Environmental Education Center encompasses 150-acres located on Jog Road and Summit Boulevard and a 252-acre residential facility at the youth conservation camp in the Corbett Wildlife Management area in Palm Beach County. The Center provides environmental education services that include children’s programs, family events and public programs. The Center’s mission is to develop, provide and model environmental education programs that foster an awareness and appreciation of the natural world.

For more information, contact Kristie Martin at 561-686-6600.  

-FAU-