Volusia County anticipates beginning the removal of invasive Brazilian pepper plants at Lighthouse Point Park in Ponce Inlet the week of Feb. 16. The work is expected to take be completed in one week.
The effort will focus on nearly all the park’s natural areas, with Brazilian pepper treatment zones totaling 42.8 acres identified throughout the 52-acre park.
The Brazilian pepper is an invasive plant that threatens native vegetation and wildlife habitat within the park. The aggressive species forms dense thickets that prevent young coastal plants from growing, reduce biodiversity and alter natural processes that help protect shorelines. Birds and other wildlife consume the plant’s berries and spread its seeds, allowing Brazilian pepper to quickly invade new areas and out-compete native species.
The County will remove Brazilian pepper using mechanical methods designed to target invasive growth while supporting the long-term recovery of native vegetation and wildlife habitat.
As the invasive growth is removed, visitors can expect to see improved sightlines and better access throughout the park’s natural areas. The park will also be better prepared for the upcoming Lighthouse Point Park Boardwalk Replacement project, anticipated to begin in late winter or early 2027, which will modernize existing boardwalks to meet ADA standards and improve connections within the park.
The park will remain fully accessible to the public during the project. Signage will be posted at park entrances and throughout the park to notify visitors of the work underway.
The project is funded by a State of Florida Coastal Partnership Initiative grant awarded in December 2025, and the Ponce de Leon Port and Inlet District.
