A monthly cooperative workday to remove non-native invasive plants took place September 22nd at Florida Oceanographic Coastal Center. Land managers from the Florida Park Service, Hobe Sound National Wildlife Refuge, Martin County, The Nature Conservancy, the Marine Resources Council and Florida Oceanographic Society tackled invasive species at the Coastal Center's 57 acre preserve.

The monthly project brings land managers together on each other's natural areas, removing non-native invasive plants. Ten partner employees participated on September 22, in a physically hard and hot workday using machetes, chainsaws and herbicides. Coastal Center volunteers participated in hauling debris and cleanup.

This partnership builds relationships between staff from different agencies, enabling them to share technical skills, build camaraderie and create greater awareness about regional invasive plant problems.

Coordinators of the project are Mike Renda, Restoration Biologist, The Nature Conservancy, and Mike Yustin, Environmental Lands Coordinator, Martin County Parks and Recreation.

You may contact Mike Renda at mrenda@tcn.org, or 561-744-6668, and Mike Yustin at myustin@martin.fl.us, or 772-220-7114.

Visit www.floridaoceanographic.org to learn more about Florida Oceanographic.