Perico Preserve Pepper Tree Pulverization

We’re teaming up with our friends at Manatee County Natural Resources to remove invasive Brazilian pepper trees that are trying to gain a foothold at Perico Preserve. This will be the first official ORE Habitat Restoration Unit event. Our crew will use Milwaukee hatchets [https://www.milwaukeetool.com/products/details/m18-fuel-hatchet-8-pruning-saw-tool-only/3004-20] to stump-cut small pepper trees [https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/habitat/invasive-plants/weed-alerts/brazillian-pepper/] and treat the stumps with Garlon [https://www.agrian.com/pdfs/Garlon_4_Ultra1p_Label.pdf]. We’ll provide: * Safety training for proper use of Milwaukee hatchets (and all required PPE) * Instruction on identifying invasive plants * Guidance on correct stump-treatment techniques What to wear: Please come prepared with closed-toe boots or sturdy shoes, long pants, and long sleeves. We’ll be moving through dense brush to reach the pepper trees. By the end of the event, we’ll have helped protect the diverse native plant community that supports wildlife at the preserve—and you’ll gain hands-on experience in identifying and removing several invasive species.