Volunteers from PulteGroup’s Southeast Florida division braved mosquitos and high temperatures in the Lagoon Greenway June 16 to help the stewardship team of the Indian River Land Trust with an invasive plant removal along the trail.More than two industrial-size trash bags full of invasive plants and their seeds were collected and discarded.
Invasive plants threaten the health and integrity of native habitats and wildlife in the Greenway, which lies east of U.S. 1 in Vero Beach along the Indian River Lagoon. The group removed weeds and saplings along the trail by hand from the trailhead through the oak-palm hammock. These invasives crowd out indigenous plants that provide food and shelter for native animals.
“Volunteers play a vital role in helping the Land Trust in doing this important work,” said PulteGroup Southeast Florida Division President BrentBaker. “We reached out to the Indian River Land Trust to volunteer during the warmer months when the need is great but fewer volunteers are available.”
During the clean-up, Pulte employees learned about different types of mangroves and the impact of invasive plant material on their health. The volunteers were also informed of how the mosquito impoundment area serves to reduce the pest’s population.
“We are extremely grateful to Pulte Homes for their additional support of the Land Trust by spending time in the field with our team. This type of land management work is critical to our mission,” said Ken Grudens, Executive Director, Indian River Land Trust.
Pulte plans to conduct another clean-up later this year and will continue to sponsor the trust’s annual benefit.
About Indian River Land Trust
The mission of the Indian River Land Trust is to protect, improve, provide access to, and promote the preservation of waterways, open spaces, and green places in Indian River County for the benefit of all today and tomorrow. First established in 1990 to save McKee Botanical Garden, in 2009 the Indian River Land Trust began working to Protect the Land that Protects the Lagoon. The Land Trust continues to promote the conservation of the Indian River Lagoon and areas throughout Indian River County by preserving habitat, protecting the scenic waterfront and providing access for public recreation and education. Protected land provides important public benefits including the opportunity for residents to learn about and enjoy the natural environment and take advantage of our protected lands and waterways to enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, and observing an abundance of fish and wildlife.
About PulteGroup
PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE:PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America’s largest homebuilding companies with operations in approximately 50 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex, Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry’s most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup conducts extensive research to provide homebuyers with innovative solutions and consumer inspired homes and communities to make lives better.
For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroup.com; pulte.com; centex.com; delwebb.com; divosta.com; jwhomes.com; and americanwesthomes.com.Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on Twitter: @PulteGroupNews.
