Florida Weed Wrangle 2026
Central Florida CISMA
Location: Ken Bosserman Econ River Preserve. The event parking is located on Lake Pickett at 14655 Lake Pickett Rd, Orlando, FL 32820 (https://maps.app.goo.gl/HjQAeVLPeiDJA3Pu9). There is an old mailbox that looks like a house numbered 14655 next to the driveway where you pull in.
Date and Time: January 31, 2026 @ 9:00 – 11:00am
Description: Volunteers will be hand pulling and bagging seeds of Caesarweed and Coral Ardisia along the property’s trail system. Volunteers will also be marking large Chinese Tallow and Queen Palm with flagging tape for future treatment. While working, volunteers will have opportunities to view the Econlockhatchee River.
Registration Information: Please RSVP to evip@ocfl.net.
Contact Information: Jake Lyons, evip@ocfl.net, 321-320-1034
Location: Spring Hammock Preserve Parking Lot (2985 Osprey Trail, Longwood, FL 32750)
Date and Time: February 14, 2026 @ 9:30 – 11:30am
Description: We’re Weed Wrangling Tahitian bridal veil (Gibasis pellucida) among other common non-native invasives along Robin Trail.
During the event, participants will learn about native plants and the sensitive nature of old-growth forests. We will discuss why this specific area is so unique, the importance of taking
regional pride in our preserves, and practical ways such as this activity that pays it forward to the environment.
What to Bring: Shovel, gardening gloves, and a couple of trash bags (paper lawn trash bags preferred)
Registration Information: FREE. CupletFern.org
Contact Information: Mark Kateli, mkateli@cupletfern.org
Location: Bear Creek Nature Trail, 1535 Winter Springs Blvd, Winter Springs, FL 32708
Date and time: Saturday, March 7th, 2026, 9 am – 12 pm
Event description: Join the City of Winter Springs, Central Florida CISMA, and SERV in the Weed Wrangle®! This event is a “one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants”. This FREE activity is for volunteers of all ages.
Registration information: https://tinyurl.com/WW26BearCr
Contact information: Elizabeth Stephens, serv@seminolecountyfl.gov, 407-665-2457
Location: Casselberry Greenway Trailhead, 603 Marigold Road, Casselberry, FL 32707
Date and time: Saturday, March 7th, 2026, 9 am – 12 pm
Event description: Join the City of Casselberry and Central Florida CISMA in the Weed Wrangle®! This event is a “one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants”. This FREE activity is for volunteers of all ages.
Registration information: https://tinyurl.com/WW26Casselberry
Contact information: Damien Rockwood, drockwood@casselberry.org; 407-676-2510
Location: Lake Lotus Park, 1153 Lake Lotus Park Rd, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714
Date and time: Saturday, March 7th, 2026, 9 am – 12 pm
Event description: Join Lake Lotus Park (City of Altamonte Springs), Central Florida CISMA, and SERV in the Weed Wrangle®! This event is a “one-day, area-wide, volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from non-native invasive species through hands-on removal of especially harmful trees, vines, and flowering plants”. This FREE activity is for volunteers of all ages.
Registration information: https://tinyurl.com/WW26LkLotus
Contact information: Elizabeth Stephens, serv@seminolecountyfl.gov, 407-665-2457
Location: Kraft Azalea Garden, 1365 Alabama Drive, Winter Park, 32789
Date and time: Saturday, March 7th, 2026, 9 am – 12 pm
Event description: Join the City of Winter Park in the Weed Wrangle, a volunteer effort to help rescue our public parks and green spaces from invasive plants! This FREE event is for volunteers of all ages. Participants must wear closed-toe shoes and long pants. Long sleeves and a hat/other head covering (to prevent seeds from getting stuck in hair) are also recommended. Sun protection and bug protection may be desired. We will provide the necessary materials and a water cooler, so please bring a reusable water bottle. We will be working at Kraft Azalea Garden to remove invasive sword fern.
Minors under 18 must have a parent or guardian present at check-in to sign a waiver. Those under 12 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian for the duration of the event.
Registration information: Eventbrite
Contact information: kwpb@cityofwinterpark.org, 407-599-3479
Everglades and Treasure Coast CISMAs
Location: Galaxy Sand Pine Preserve, Boynton Beach, FL. Joint event with Treasure Coast CISMA. Access is through Galaxy Park, near Boynton Beach Blvd and I-95. Google Maps link
Date and Time: Tuesday, February 17, 2026, 8:30 am to 3 pm
Description: Students from Galaxy Elementary School will visit the nature trail, see a gopher tortoise presentation and see us hard at work.
We’ll be removing invasive plants along the nature trail, restoration area, future waif gopher tortoise recipient site area and adjacent areas. You’ll be pleasantly surprised to see the progress being made in the NE corner and along the trail. There’s lots more to do and we love you (and your helpful hands) to join us!!
A list of target plants and supplies to bring are shown in the details on the EventBrite link.
This is also an opportunity to see two recently identified non-natives that are spreading. If you’re interested in helping to create a criteria sheet to add them to the FISC invasive plant or Watch List, contact Chris Lockhart, habitatsp@aol.com.
Contact Information: Chris Lockhart, habitatsp@aol.com
Registration Information: Eventbrite registration.
First Coast Invasive Working Group
*Visit our 2026 Weed Wrangle Google Map linked HERE to view all sites across our CISMA and obtain site information*
Location: Howell Park, 810 Seminole Rd, Atlantic Beach, FL 32233
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Description: Wedelia, sword fern, Mexican petunia
Contact Information: Gretchen Deters – Murray, retchends@bellsouth.net
Location: Camp Chowenwaw Park, Nature Center at 7000 Roosevelt Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32244
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Description: Coral ardisia
Contact Information: Liz Pigg, liz.pigg@claycountygov.com
Location: City of Fernandina Beach Access, 2500 Atlantic Avenue, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Description: Asparagus fern
Contact Information: Kathy Russell, krussell@fbfl.org
Location: Walter Jones Historic Park, 11964 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Description: Coral ardisia and maybe spraying poison ivy
Contact Information: Gabriele Dempsey, gkdjax@gmail.com or Adam Saffles, asaffles@gmail.com
Location: Tree Hill Nature Center, 7152 Lone Star Road, Jacksonville, FL 32211
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Description: Coral ardisia
Contact Information: Mark Mummaw, mark@TreeHill.org
Location: McGirts Creek Preserve, 8435 118th Street, Jacksonville FL 32244
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact Information: Lauren Chappell, LChappell@coj.net
Location: University of North Florida, 8 UNF Drive, Parking Lot 100, Jacksonville, FL 32224
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact Information: Rhonda Gracie, rhonda.gracie@unf.edu or unfbotanicalgarden@unf.edu
Location: Hanna Park, 500 Wonderwood Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32233
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact Information: Jay Johnigean, JJohnigean@coj.net
Location: Tillie K. Fowler Regional Park, 7000 Roosevelt Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32244
Date and Time: February 21, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact Information: Samantha Jones, SamanthaJ@coj.net
Location: Mary Street Walkover in Butler Beach, 5705 Gloria Avenue, St. Augustine, FL 32080
Date and Time: February 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Contact Information: Kelly Ussia, kussia@sjcfl.us
Registration: https://secure.rec1.com/FL/stjohns-county-fl/catalog?filter=c2VhcmNoPTQwNzQyMTA=
Location: American Beach, 1943 Lewis St, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034
Date and Time: February 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Description: Asparagus fern
Contact Information: David Hebert, david.hebert@ufl.edu
Location: Walter Jones Historic Park, 11964 Mandarin Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32223
Date and Time: February 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Description: Coral ardisia and maybe spraying poison ivy
Contact Information: Gabriele Dempsey, gkdjax@gmail.com or Adam Saffles, asaffles@gmail.com
Location: Alejandro Garces Tomahawk Park, 8419 San Ardo Road, Jacksonville, FL 32217
Date and Time: February 28, 2026, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Contact Information: Lauren Chappell, LChappell@coj.net
North Central Florida CISMA
Location: Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center 210 SE 134th Ave, Micanopy, FL 32667
Date and Time: February 21, 2026 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Description: Come help remove coral ardisia at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center. Target plant: Coral ardisia.
Participation in the Weed Wrangle earns you free entry into the North Florida Outdoor Expo, happening the same day, also at Cuscowilla Nature and Retreat Center from 10am-3pm.
Registration Information: n/a
Contact Information: Dave Hebert, david.hebert@ufl.edu
Osceola CISMA
Location: Peghorn Nature Park, 2101 Peghorn Way, St Cloud, FL 34769
Date and Time: February 21, 2026. 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Description: Volunteers will be collecting air potato bulbils.
Contact Information: Contact Dana Sussmann at Dana.Sussmann@fdacs.gov or Ed Swap at Edward.Swap@stcloudfl.gov for more details.
Registration Information: Coming soon.
Treasure Coast CISMA
Location: Cypress Creek Natural Area, 10035 West Indiantown Road, Jupiter, FL 33478
Date and Time: February 26, 2026, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Description: Please join us for a Weed Wrangle hosted by the TC-CISMA at Cypress Creek Natural Area in Jupiter, Florida. Volunteers will physically remove invasive plant species that threaten the native plants and wildlife in this area. We will meet at 0800 in the Cypress Creek parking lot. Please bring plenty of water and food for the day; gloves will be provided.
Contact Information: Antonio Rodriguez at Arodriguez12@pbcgov.org
Registration Information: Eventbrite
