Fish and Wildlife Service agents and as many volunteers as they can muster will be coming to Sandy Point at 8:30 a.m. Saturday to pull out invaders by the roots – plant invaders, that is. The cleanup is to remove invasive plants that harm turtle nesting.
Some invasive plants have complex root systems that can invade incubating turtle nests and destroy eggs, according to an announcement from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calling for volunteers this weekend. Others plant species form tangled mats on the beach surface causing hatchling turtles to become entrapped.
Please call 340-690-9452 to confirm you will be coming. To minimize trash, the Fish and Wildlife Service asks that you please bring your own reusable water bottle and work gloves. Cold water will be supplied. Wear a hat and sunscreen for sun protection. Do not wear flip-flops or sandals; instead wear sneakers or boots with socks.
The Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 94 million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System that encompasses more than 540 national wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 national fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations.
The agency enforces federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts.
