Lighthouse Point Park to Undergo Brazilian Pepper Removal to Protect Native Habitat

Posted On: September 12, 2024

Volusia County will begin a Brazilian pepper removal project at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet on Monday, Sept. 16. The project, which is expected to last two weeks, will not interfere with public access or parking.

The removal process will involve crews using saws to cut the invasive plants and applying herbicide directly to the stumps. This method ensures no heavy machinery is used, and no other vegetation is disturbed. The operation is timed to prevent the spread of the plant before the berries mature and become a food source for birds, which can disperse the seeds.

Brazilian pepper, marked by red berries on female plants in late fall, aggressively colonizes mangrove habitats and displaces native Florida vegetation. The plant's presence significantly diminishes plant and wildlife diversity in the area.