St. Lucie County is seeking volunteers to assist in the removal of exotic and overgrown vegetation at the county’s Lakela’s Mint Preserve to protect the endemic Lakela’s Mint population on Saturday, June 3 and Saturday, June 17 from 8 to 11 a.m.
St. Lucie County’s Environmental Resources Department is proud to partner with Bok Towers Gardens to host these volunteer events to help ensure the survival of a very rare endangered plant species.
Located at 5600 North U.S. 1, across from the Ocean Discovery Center at FAU’s Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the preserve is home to one of the largest wild populations of the federally endangered Lakela’s Mint, which is only found at a few places in St. Lucie and Indian River Counties, and nowhere else in the world.
The work day will be from 8:00 to 11:00 am, followed by a plant walk on-site by Michael Ball.
Volunteers are asked to bring gloves, hand-tools and water. Sunscreen, a hat, and insect repellent are also recommended. Additional water will be provided, along with a light lunch. Volunteers will be required to sign a liability waiver prior to working.
Looking to volunteer?
Contact the St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Department staff at 772-462-2526 or email thompsonam@stlucieco.org. Space is limited to 30 volunteers per day, so please sign-up early to reserve your space and help become a steward to one of the world’s rarest plant species.