Research

Contractors preparing the site and digging holes to plant native vegetation at Salt River.

NPS.

Native Plant Restoration

Since 2012, SARI has been working to restore the plant native communities within 72 acres along the eastern shore of Salt River Bay. Over the past 50 years the area has been subjected to numerous discarded landscape plants and cuttings being thrown into “the bush,” resulting in a thriving community of invasive, exotic plants. Efforts to restore the native habitat began as a collaboration between the NPS-SARI, the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Florida Caribbean Exotic Plant Management Team, and NPS Youth Conservation Corps. To date over 1200 locally-grown native plants have been planted in the park. Non-native plants, such as guinea grass, tan-tan, rubber vine or purple allamanda, and Ginger Thomas, are targeted for removal and destruction while native trees, shrubs, and grasses are planted to improve erosion control and plant diversity.

Treatment within 50 feet of mangroves and shoreline are treated via mechanical removal, hand pulling, cutting with weed eaters, and mowing/mulching in place. Outside of the shoreline area, the plants are removed via mulching and mowing, and treatment of stem and new growth grasses with approved herbicides. No herbicide application will occur if rainfall is anticipated within 30 minutes of application.

The NPS is committed to maintaining and enhancing the natural beauty and health of our environment, and to the preservation and stewardship of the cultural resources of Salt River Bay through increased awareness and education. We look forward to continuing these efforts with our neighbors and partners.