Media Release

11:05 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY, FL - The Alachua County Environmental Protection Department will recieve $36,000 of management funding for control of invasive exotic plants on Alachua County Forever Lands. Funding is from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Invasive Plant Management, which funds individual invasive plant removal projects on public conservation lands throughout the state.

Monies will be used for the first phase of invasive plant control on the Sweetwater Preserve. Control will focus on coral ardisia, a common landscape plant that invades natural areas crowding out native vegetation, thus reducing biological diversity and interfering with plant reproduction in the forest. Funds are for the current fiscal year.

The Sweetwater Preserve was acquired by Alachua County in March of 2006 with dollars from the Alachua County Forever Bond and a Florida Communities Trust grant.  The purpose of the aquisition was to preserve and enhance the unique natural and cultural resources found on the property and to provide an enjoyable, educational and passive recreational experience.

The Alachua County Forever Program was approved by Alachua County voters in November of 2000, to acquire, improve and manage environmentally significant lands in Alachua County in order to protect water resources, wildlife habitats and natural areas suitable for resource-based recreation.

For more information, call Alachua County Land Conservation Manager Ramesh Buch at 352-264-6800.

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