Brazilian Pepper Infestation
Contract work to manage Brazilian Pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius) infestation at Crystal River Preserve State Park was recently completed. Nearly 300,000 stems of this noxious invasive plant were herbicide treated or pulled over a four month period beginning in late December of 2006. Over 390 acres of coastal hammock, marsh prairie hammock and tidal marsh edges were treated with a success rate of over 95%. The work was made possible with a grant obtained through BIPM under the Withlacoochee Regional Working Group. This work coupled with control projects of park staff, volunteer pepper pull events and exotic species education efforts has made a huge difference in the ability of park staff to effectively address the management of the preserve's number one exotic pest.
