Couch potatoes were nowhere to be found at the 10th Annual Great Air Potato Roundup.
About 925 local residents climbed out of bed early Saturday morning to search for air potatoes, a non-native plant threatening Florida's wildlife. People from local environmental and volunteer organizations split up to uproot the plant throughout 33 sites in Gainesville.
The air potato has been listed as one of Florida's most invasive plant species since 1993 and was placed on the Florida Noxious Weed List by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in 1999, according to the FDACS Web site.
The Nature Operations Division of the City of Gainesville's Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs organized the event during the city's Non-Native Invasive Plant Awareness Week.
Together volunteers collected 1,247 gallons of air potatoes, weighing 6,855 pounds. They also removed 47 bags of trash and filled 64 grocery bags of ardesia, another non-native invasive plant.
"It's something really anyone can go out and get," said Geoff Parks, a habitat naturalist who spoke at a celebration following the roundup.
And he meant everyone, potato-pickers of all ages joined in to help.
"It's just like Easter eggs," said Bill Millinor, a Gainesville resident who brought his three daughters, ages 3, 6 and 7, to the roundup.
"Are we doing this next year, girls?" Millinour asked his daughters. He got an enthusiastic "yes" from all three.
As an invasive plant, the air potato is out-competing the native vegetation, because native insects, birds and animals refuse to eat it.
Trophies were awarded for the largest and weirdest air potatoes, with first place going to a hula dancer-shaped potato. The Girls' Academy of Health Professions was named "Group with the Most Volunteers," for bringing 35 potato-pickers.
Following the potato picking, a celebration was held at the Morningside Nature Center that included food, live music by Lost Safari Drummers and guest speakers.
Sally Wazny, the program's coordinator, said the event was a good way to get people together for a good cause.
"They're out doing something that benefits the environment," Wazny said.
