Volunteers Needed to Plant Native Vegetation at Wesley’s Island
FORT PIERCE – St. Lucie County and the adopters of Wesley’s Island are looking for volunteers. They are wanted to help plant more than 13,000 native/coastal trees, shrubs and grasses on Wesley’s Island in the Indian River Lagoon Friday, Sept. 30.
St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department (ERD) is working with volunteers and the community. They want to help establish up to seven additional coastal natural communities on the island in the areas that were recently cleared of invasive vegetation. This will take several phases and additional plants will be introduced after the initial phase has been established. The first phase of the plan utilizes more than 13,000 plants from the recently re-established ERD native plant nursery off of Rock Road.
“This is a great volunteer opportunity for those who love the Indian River Lagoon and feel passionate about restoring Florida’s habitats and providing for our native flora and fauna,” said St. Lucie County’s Natural Resources Management Coordinator Amanda Thompson.
Volunteers are needed to assist with planting, watering and shuttling others by boat to and from the island. ERD staff will be supplying the island with water throughout the day. They will also supply limited amount of hand tools such as shovels, hoses, water tanks, etc. Volunteers are encouraged to bring snacks/food, sunscreen, plenty of water, gloves, closed-toed shoes, and hats. Volunteers may also bring a jug, water pail, or bucket to help water-in plants, as well as a hand tool for digging since tools could be limited.
Those interested in volunteering should contact ERD Natural Resources Coordinator Amanda Thompson at 772-462-2528 or ThompsonA@slucieco.org to sign up, as well as get up-to-date event details. Please be prepared for the Florida heat and limited shade.
This past winter, St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources staff worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Invasive Plant Program to treat the invasive vegetation that had taken over the spoil island. To help fund the clearing and replanting effort, St. Lucie County has received a grant from the Indian River Lagoon National Estuaries Program (IRLNEP) for $15,000.
