The tree was first introduced to Florida in the 1840s largely because its bright red berries and green foliage were often used as Christmas decorations. But over time, the relationship changed. The Brazilian peppertree, including the seed, is now prohibited from sale, transport, or planting in Florida, according to the FDACS Noxious Weed List. It is also classified as a Category I pest by the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council.
On the Eckerd College campus, the battle to control the Brazilian peppertree has been waged for several years, highlighted by the annual Brazilian Pepper Pull. Typically, the event has been hosted by the Eckerd College Organization of Students’ Environmental Responsibility Committee once a semester.
This year, with help from a recent $25,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation, Cribbs added his newly formed Eckerd College Conservation Corps, along with members of Delta Sigma Pi, the coed business fraternity at Eckerd. The grant enabled the College to purchase gloves, shovels, shears and a golf cart to haul debris. The grant also helped fund student environmental internships. Duke Energy Florida President Melissa Seixas ’92, an Eckerd alumna and honorary trustee, was instrumental in facilitating the grant.
Carlie Taylor, an outage follow up specialist at Duke Energy Florida, jumped at the chance to join the pulling event.
“Personally, I have a lot of environmental interests. I went to college and had a minor in zoology to go along with my degree in mechanical engineering that I use as an engineer for Duke,” she explained.
