Need a brochure for your park?

Based on requests from a number of state parks, we've developed a brochure template that can be used by any of the state parks for informing visitors about invasive plants. So far, we've made brochures for eight parks.

See below for "generic" text that is included in these brochures or click on the pdf file to download a sample hard copy.

For more information about having a brochure made for your park, contact:  CAIP-education@ufl.edu

Brochure Content:

Welcome to Estero Bay Preserve State Park - a place to experience Florida's rich plant and animal life. While you're here, we'd like to bring attention to some invasive plant species that are a serious ecological threat within this park and other natural areas throughout the state.

What Is An Invasive Plant?

Of the more than 4,000 plant species found in Florida, 1,300 or more are non-native* or exotic; they come from other countries or regions within the U.S. At least 130 of these exotic plants are spreading rapidly throughout our natural areas and private lands. When they cause environmental  or economic harm, they are considered to be invasive.

* Florida botanist, Richard Wunderlin, defines non-native plants as “those that have become part of the Florida flora following the occupation by European man.” In other words, if a plant was introduced after 1513, it is considered to be non-native.

So, What’s The Problem?

In their native ranges, plants generally do not become a nuisance. Today with modern transportation, many exotic plants have caught a free ride to Florida. Once they arrive, they are free from natural enemies that existed in their home range (insects, diseases, etc.) and can outgrow and replace native plants.

When invasive plants replace native plants:

•  Native plants can be permanently eliminated, diminishing Florida’s natural diversity;
•  Animals that use native plants are often unable to adapt, so they leave the area or die out;
•  Invasive aquatic plants can completely fill the water column so that fish and wildlife are driven from the area.

Why Should We Care?

Invasive plants are costing Floridians a lot of money; nearly 80 million taxpayer dollars were spent in 2005 to control them. If not kept in check, invasive plants can create ideal breeding grounds for mosquitos, cause serious navigation blockages, and major flooding problems during storms. Boating, swimming, hiking and other uses of natural areas can also be made difficult, even dangerous, by invasive plant infestations.

Keeping Things Under Control

After much research, we know that some invasive plant species will never be eradicated in Florida; they simply reproduce too fast. So now, the strategy is to keep infestations at the lowest feasible levels. This helps lessen overall environmental damage; it maintains habitat for native wildlife; and it keeps the plants from damaging bridges and flood control structures. It also reduces the total amount of herbicides needed over the long term.

You Can Help

Preventing the introduction and spread of non-native plants in Florida is the most effective and least expensive means of protecting Florida’s natural habitats. Here are a few things we can all do:

• Learn to identify which plants are invasive,
  especially in your area.
• Volunteer to help remove invasive plants in your area.
• Inspect your yard, woods, garden, or school for invasive plants; throw them in household trash (don’t compost).
• Practice good stewardship: never transport Florida’s aquatic, wetland or upland plants to other areas, and never empty your aquarium into a body of water, even a canal.
• Avoid chopping aquatic plants with boat propellers
  as some plant fragments can grow into new infestations.
• Remove plant matter from boats/trailers after use.
•  Ask your nursery or garden center for native and/or non-invasive plants.

Identifying Invasive Plants

The non-native plants in this brochure have proven to be invasive in our park (and region) and are currently being controlled by park staff, contractors and volunteers. Do you recognize any of them? Read on to learn more about these quiet invaders.