Help Protect Long Leaf Pines by Clearing Vegetation

We’ll be using loppers, hand saws, and brush cutters to clear the vegetation and small bushes around Longleaf Pines to help protect them during upcoming controlled burns.

The FWC Henscratch/27 site has both of the unique Lake Wales Ridge Ecosystem Habitats: Oak Scrub and Sandhill. We’ll be working in the Sandhill habitat, which requires Longleaf Pine and occasional fire. Clearing the brush around the pines helps to protect them during prescribed fire management.

Henscratch/27 is located on the west side of US 27 between Sebring and Lake Placid, and a few miles south of the 27/98 Intersection. This conservation area runs roughly from US 27 on the east to Henscratch Road on the west, and is not often seen by the public. Perhaps you've passed it while driving on US 27, noted the FWC sign, and wondered what was in there … this will be a great chance to see it!

Meeting Location

We'll meet at the Henscratch/27 mate gate, on US 27 about 3.5 miles south of the intersection with US 98, and 5.8 miles north of the Railroad trestle in Lake Placid. See the colored marker at this location in Google Maps: http://g.co/maps/9amje .

What to wear/What to Bring:

We'll be working in brush, and you'll want to wear long pants and long sleeves, along with a hat and sunscreen. Bring work gloves if you have ‘em (but we'll have extras). We'll have drinking water and snacks.