County to treat invasive plants in Gemini Spring area

Posted On: August 1, 2023

Volusia County’s Resource Stewardship Division will conduct herbicide treatment of a 20-acre area near the blue hiking trail on a portion of the Gemini Spring Conservation Area in DeBary from Aug. 2 to 7.

The public will likely see large areas of the treated invasive plants as they brown and start to slowly die back. Members of the public should not be alarmed because vegetation dieback on invasive species is a sign of successful control and will allow native plants to reestablish in this ecosystem.

Invasive plants harm Florida’s natural ecosystems because they form dense blocks that expand quickly and suppress the growth of surrounding native vegetation. The primary invasive plants targeted for this control project are Chinese tallow, camphor tree, wild taro, para grass and Brazilian pepper. These plants will be chemically treated with an EPA-approved herbicide to help restore native habitat.  

For additional information, call the Resource Stewardship Division at 386-943-7081.