Invasive plant treatment planned along U.S. 1.

Written by Kristen Schmutz

Belden Communications News

The Volusia County Resource Stewardship Division, in conjunction with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, has announced plans to address the proliferation of invasive plant species in the Doris Leeper Spruce Creek Preserve. The affected areas are along U.S. 1 in Port Orange and New Smyrna Beach.

According to a release, the primary focus will be to treat large quantities of Brazilian peppertree and Australian pine, two of the most invasive plant species in the region. The division will use chemical herbicides to treat the plants, and there will be no broadcast spraying of large areas.

Both plants have aggressive and invasive tendencies, which adversely affect the local environment by disrupting the natural growth of native plants.

The treated area will initially appear brown as the invasive plants decline, with some sections being more extensive than others. However, once the invasive plants are gone, native plants will return to their natural color and remain healthy.

For more information on the project, contact the Resource Stewardship Division at 386-943-7081.