Tree Board talk in Lake Worth

March 23, 2016
Contact: David Mc Grew, Horticulturist
Phone: 561.586.1677
Email: dmcgrew@lakeworth.org
City of Lake Worth Tree Board Talk at Lake Worth Public Library

PRESS RELEASE
FOR RELEASE UPON RECEIPT
CITY OF LAKE WORTH
7 NORTH DIXIE HIGHWAY
LAKE WORTH, FL 33460 LAKEWORTH.ORG

Lake Worth, FL – March 23, 2016 –
The Lake Worth City Tree Board is proud to announce our 2016 Tree Board Talk.
This year’s talk entitled Invasives and Exotics takes place Thursday, April 7, 2016 at the Lake Worth Public Library on 15 North M Street in beautiful downtown Lake Worth. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Presentations begin at 6:30 and continue until 8:00. Refreshments will be served. Admission is free and everyone is welcome.

The evening’s discussions will focus on the impacts of exotic and invasive plants to South Florida and how South Florida natives allow beneficial insects, birds and butterflies to flourish.
“It’s great to have our City Tree Board speaker series return to the Lake Worth Public Library in downtown Lake Worth,” said City of Lake Worth Horticulturalist, David McGrew, staff liaison to the board. “The speakers will explain the exotic pest plant problem we face in South Florida.”
“The speakers will talk about the need for exotic pest plant management” added Tree Board Chair, Richard Stowe, “These exotic invasives make our backyards, open spaces & city parks look outdated; now is the time to encourage native plant conversions.”

Speakers: 

• Laurie Albrecht, the UF/IFAS Cooperative Extension Agent at Mounts Botanical Gardens in West Palm Beach, will speak about emerging exotic invasive plants.

• Christen Mason, Chair of the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council and an invasive species biologist currently at the South Florida Water Management District and previously at the Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge, will speak about invasive and exotic trees and plants in South Florida. Christen has monitored and treated non-native plants across more than 300,000 acres of the Everglades system.

• Susan Lerner, President of the Palm Beach County Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Secretary of the Florida Backyard Beekeepers Association, will speak about the conversion of her half-acre yard to South Florida native trees, shrubs and groundcover. Susan is past president of the Palm Beach County Chapter of Rare Fruit Council International.

The City Tree Board is one of a number of volunteer advisory boards, which assist the City Commission. The City Tree Board meets at 5:30 p.m. on the second Thursday of the month. All members are selected by City Commissioners and the Mayor. Meetings are open to the public.
Located in central Palm Beach County, Lake Worth is a dynamic, multi-cultural city with an individualistic style. People are drawn to the city by its acceptance of different cultures and lifestyles, historic districts, hip downtown and colorful arts district.