In our last newsletter, we reported that that the Florida Humanities Council had granted the Randell Research Center $11,560 for creating interpretive signs, with new artwork by Merald Clark, for the recently acquired Smith and Low Mounds.

Now, we are honored to announce that the Felburn Foundation, known for its support of environmental and historic preservation in Florida, has granted $20,000 toward the removal of invasive vegetation on the five-acre parcel acquired last year through the generosity of the Sear Family Foundation and the Calusa Land Trust.

Can you see the two Calusa mounds in this picture? Neither can we! These photos were taken May 16, 2016. This was the day before clearing of invasive vegetation was to begin. Photo courtesy of Charles O’Connor

Out-of-control Brazilian pepper plants intrude over the RRC fence from the newly acquired mound property. These and other invasive, non-native plants will be removed by the end of May 2016, so that the two mounds can be seen and interpreted for the public. Photo courtesy of Charles O’Connor

The noxious plants on the site include large Australian pines and Ear-leaf Acacia, and dense thickets of Brazilian peppers, among others. These aliens reduce the biodiversity of the land and threaten the survival of native vegetation, including large live oak trees. The thick vegetation also makes it nearly impossible to see the two mounds.

The land-clearing work should be completed by late May, allowing us to move forward with fencing and determining where and how we will extend public access. Fund-raising continues for these next steps. For contributions already received in support of the new interpretive project, we thank Bill and Norma Pretsch, John and Gretchen Coyle, Karl and Kathy Schroeder, and Ed Winn.

This article was taken from the Friends of the Randell Research Center Newsletter Vol 15, No. 2. June 2016.