In three busy months, November, December, and January, 975,250 square feet of lagoon shoreline in Brevard County were cleared of invasive vegetation including Brazilian pepper trees. Brevard residents volunteered 783 hours to these restoration projects.

   In Indian River County volunteers cleared 240,000 square feet of Brazilian Pepper trees from the lagoon and St. Sebastian River shoreline. This is the time of year that birds will eat Brazilian Pepper berries and their droppings will cause seedlings to pop up around fences, under trees and anywhere birds congregate. If you have birds crashing into your window or otherwise acting strangely, it may be because Brazilian Pepper berries are disorienting them. The berries ferment on the trees, and will get birds and wildlife drunk, putting them in danger.

   Volunteers Needed! If you would like to be a volunteer in Brevard or Indian River County call (321) 504-4500.