Florida State Parks Project A.N.T. (AmeriCorps Non-native plant Terminators) members are deep in the trenches of a fierce battle to save Florida habitats from the onslaught of invasive exotic plants. Referred to as AmeriCorps Weed War II, the second year of Project A.N.T. continues the fight for natural Florida by following the three prong invasive exotic plant management plan of attack which began in January 2012.

First, there is the full on attack through the treatment of invasive exotic plants with members enduring the Florida heat either spraying herbicide, chainsawing, hand pulling or using a combination of methods to combat the infestation of this invasive plants. Second, the members educate state park visitors and local communities about the long term effects of these wicked plants. Explaining how they alter Florida habitats resulting in the displacement wildlife and native plants, and how often the source of these unassuming predators are often personal landscaping choices. Finally, since the battle against invasive exotic plants cannot be won by Project A.N.T. alone, members actively recruit volunteers to join the battle to save Florida’s unique and often endangered habitats.

The three prong invasive exotic plant management plan of attack has proven to be quite successful. During the 2012 program year, Project A.N.T. members treated over 11,000 state park acres of invasive exotic plants, which is almost equal in size to Myakka River State Park, one of the largest and oldest state parks in Florida. Equally impressive is through their environmental education efforts, 10,000 state park visitors and local community members were reached. Always eager to get others involved, members recruited over 1,600 new volunteers who collectively provided 5,966 volunteer hours.

In 2013, the battle continues with a total of 47 fulltime Project A.N.T. members serving individually, or in pairs, at over 30 state parks from the farthest edges of the panhandle all the way south to Miami and various places in between. Ever evolving to better match the strength of this herbaceous enemy, members are now organizing Invasive Exotic Plant Strike Teams, which gather groups of members to combat large scale invasive exotic plant infestations either at their host state park or a nearby state park. Relentless and eager to defend the habitats of Florida, Project A.N.T. members have proven essential to the preservation and restoration of Florida state parks.