Projects & Success Stories of Lake County CISMA

Success and Highlights from 2009

April 19th, 2009 Tavares Nature Park Work Day

Press Release -

Tavares, FL – Staff members from various government agencies and interested individuals have come together to form the Lake County “Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area” or CISMA group. The objective of this group is to promote the control of exotic invasive species in Lake County and to provide education to the public regarding the negative effects of exotics on the local native plants and animals. Group members include staff from Lake County Public Lands and Parks and Trails, University of Florida Agricultural Extension Service, The Nature Conservancy, Lake County Water Authority, Trout Lake Nature Center, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. The initial meeting was at Trout Lake Nature Center in February.

The CISMA group is now teaming up with the City of Tavares to host a workday at the Tavares Nature Park on Wednesday, April 29th, 9:00 am. Members of CISMA will conduct a training session with the City staff on controlling invasives and provide educational information to the public on native and non-native species. The workday will allow City staff to work side-by-side with County staff to combat exotics at this environmentally sensitive City Park. The general public and over 286 nearby neighbors are being invited to volunteer and provide assistance in identifying exotics at the park and hand removing the smaller species.

Brazilian pepper, primrose willow, camphor, Chinese tallow, and Ceasar’s weed are on the workday “hit list.”

Contacts:

Lauren Brothers, Coordinator,
Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area Group,
Environmental Technician, Public Lands, Lake County, 352-253-4971

Tamera Rogers, Community Services Director,
City of Tavares, 352-742-6338

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