Paynes Prairie Preserve State Park wants volunteers to become “Ardisia assassins” Saturday.
The park is gathering volunteers to remove Ardisia, an invasive plant, from 9 a.m. to noon as part of National Public Lands Day.
Park Service Specialist Amber Roux said the event is free and open to the public. She said volunteers will remove the invasive and exotic Coral Ardisia, which is common in shady areas of the park.
“It needs to be removed by hand, so it takes a lot of people,” Roux said. “It will help restore natural ecosystems to the normal balance.”
There are about 25 volunteers registered to participate, but the sign-up is still open, she said.
Ken Langeland, a UF professor who specializes in the management of upland invasive vegetation, said the Coral Ardisia has a negative impact on native plants.
“It is reproducing on its own where it is replacing natural vegetation,” Langeland said. “It displaces native plant communities and disrupts native habitats.”
He said aside from the work volunteers will do, he hopes people will learn about the harm invasive plants cause to the natural environment.
“I really applaud people who are putting their efforts and energy into organizing these events and the volunteers who participate in them,” he said.
