Invasive plant removal workday- E.G. Simmons Park 1/17/09

From: Nanette Holland O'Hara TBEP Public Outreach Coordinator Happy Holidays Volunteers!   After all the feasting and merrymaking of the holiday season, you will need to shed those extra pounds and we have just the ticket! Sign up to help our friends with Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation and Conservation Services remove invasive lead trees and Brazilian peppers on January 17 from E.G. Simmons Park, a large county park in Ruskin directly on Tampa Bay.  We have held pepper removal workdays here in the past and the county is doing a first-rate job of restoring native habitats at this park. If you have not visited Simmons Park in a while, you will be impressed! This time we'll be directly along the shore of the bay, by the boat ramp.   Details:   WHEN: Saturday, Jan. 17 from 9 am-1 pm   WHERE: E.G. Simmons Park, meet at the picnic pavilion just south of boat ramp (specific directions follow)   WHAT: Our favorite task! Hauling cut lead tree and B. peppers to chippers so they can be ground into harmless mulch   WHO CAN HELP: Anyone at least 14 years old (chippers are dangerous, so this is NOT suitable for younger volunteers)   WHAT YOU SHOULD WEAR AND BRING: Long pants and closed-toes shoes are a must! Long-sleeved shirts are recommended. Bring bug spray, sunglasses, a hat and a water bottle (we'll have large coolers of water to fill your bottles). Please bring gloves if you have them.   YOUR REWARD: Lunch, a t-shirt (new design for 2009!) and, most importantly, a sense of satisfaction in knowing you are helping us restore a beautiful and important part of Tampa Bay , Feel free to bring a kayak and explore the park by water afterwards.   Let me know if you can help and how many are in your work party. Read on for driving directions.   Thanks everyone!   e-mail: Nanette@tbep.org