The following information is from St. Lucie County:
St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department is proud to once again partner with Bok Towers Gardens to host monthly volunteer restoration events that will help ensure the survival of a very rare endangered plant species. The county is seeking volunteers to assist in the removal of exotic and overgrown vegetation at the Harbor Branch Preserve to protect the endemic Lakela’s Mint population.
Monthly Volunteer Mint Restoration Days will take place from 8:30 a.m. to noon on the following dates:
- Saturday, Dec. 14
- Friday, Jan. 10
- Saturday, Feb. 8
- Friday, March 13
- Saturday, April 11
Located at 5600 U.S. 1 in northern Fort Pierce, adjacent to the Ocean Discovery Center at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the preserve houses one of the largest wild populations of the federally endangered Lakela’s Mint, which is only found nowhere else in the world, except for a few places in St. Lucie and Indian River counties.
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 772-462-2528 or email thompsonam@stlucieco.org. Space is limited to 30 volunteers per da
