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All Departments Administration Corrections Development Services Facilities Management Human Resources Information Technology Library Services Management and Budget Services Natural Resources Management Neighborhood and Human Services Parks and Recreation Public Safety Public Works Veterans Services Waste ServicesEscambia County UF/IFAS Extension, the UF/IFAS Indian River Research and Education Center, and St. Lucie Counties are teaming up for the Air Potato Challenge in Pensacola on Thursday, Aug. 9 from 9 a.m. to noon. During the event, residents and public land managers struggling with invasive air potato plants can come to the Escambia County Central Office Complex located at 3363 West Park Place to learn about this invasive species and receive a supply of air potato leaf beetles for use on their properties.
Representatives from the Escambia County Water Quality and Land Management Division, Escambia County Marine Resources, Six Rivers Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will have educational exhibits about invasive species. At 11:30 a.m., Kristal Walsh, a biological scientist with FWC will lead a bring-your-own lunch and learn presentation on the impacts of invasive species on wildlife.
The leaf beetles will be available for pickup Thursday at the Escambia County Central Office Complex from 9 a.m. to noon, or during the Science Hour presentation from 6-7 p.m. Residents are encouraged to bring a cutting of air potato for confirmation. Registration is encouraged, but not required.
The air potato is one of Florida’s most problematic invasive plants. The air potato leaf beetle is a small but formidable enemy of this invasive plant. The insect is bright red, about the size of a pinky fingernail, and has a big appetite for the invasive air potato plant whose vines can completely consume natural areas, smothering other plants and native habitat. Researchers have shown that air potato leaf beetles are host-specific to air potato and will not feed on other plants.
For more information or to register for the event, click here.
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