A Call for Volunteers:
The Myakka River flows over 58 square miles of diverse landscape and through one of Florida’s oldest and largest parks. Its 69.8 miles provides both habitat and resources to numerous aquatic and terrestrial species. It is a crucial resource, valued for both aesthetic and practical reasons. Unfortunately, it has been invaded by the Channeled Applesnail; an invasive, non-native species. This species reproduces rapidly and has a voracious appetite for aquatic plants, causing devasting effects on anything in its path. They can modify plant communities and ruin water quality.
The Myakka State Park is always requesting volunteers to control their numbers. As a volunteer, you will remove the snail’s egg clusters that grow on plant stalks and reeds. No experience is necessary as training is provided. It will include where and how to spot the snail and its egg clusters, and how to safely remove them from plants. Once trained, volunteers can put in however many hours they wish to collect the specimen.
There are some benefits to volunteering. Every volunteer will have free entry into the park. If you accumulate 100 hours of service, you will be provided with a free annual park pass.
For more information about how to volunteer at Myakka State Park, please call Teresa Good at 941-373-7839
