Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Invasive Species Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Natural Resources Board reports 50+ participants, 200+ pounds removed at air-potato roundup
Summary
City volunteers and partners collected more than 200 pounds of invasive air-potato bulbs at a February community event; organizers say the Pelican Island Audubon Society partnership and volunteer efforts also removed other invasive species and provided education for attendees.
Members of the City of Sebastian Natural Resources Board on March 4 summarized results from a Feb. 8 air-potato removal event that combined volunteer work, education and partner outreach.
Board presenters said the event drew upwards of 50 participants based on registration and paper forms and yielded more than 200 pounds of collected air-potato bulbs and vines. The city identified the Pelican Island Audubon Society as a key partner; the society provided on-site education about native and nonnative plants at Stormwater Park and helped orient volunteers to removal and identification tasks.
Organizers reported that volunteers also removed Brazilian pepper and other invasive plants from areas near the park’s main entrance. City staff and public works employees assisted with on-site staging and transported collected material in a city vehicle after the event.
Presenters credited a mix of volunteers, local nonprofits and staff for the turnout and encouraged future improvements to volunteer preparation. One board member suggested that future flyers ask participants to bring cutters and protective gear because cutting vines can be easier than pulling them. Staff said that feedback would be considered when planning next year’s event.
The debrief included photos and recognition of volunteers and partners named in meeting materials: Jennifer Satterley (environmental educator, Pelican Island Audubon Society), Donna Halloran (Pelican Island Audubon Society), Thomas Carano (check-in support), Paul Halloran (Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee), Missy Weiss (ORCA), and former board member Nikki Mosplek. The board thanked Mayor McPartland and city public works staff who assisted during the event.
Organizers said they will continue the partnership with Pelican Island Audubon Society for future events and will incorporate lessons learned into outreach and logistics.
