IN THE LOOP - Feb 2026 - Making A Difference!

  Issue No. 33/February 2026

­ Making a Difference! The Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail (OSLT) is taking on a rather lofty project this year with a two-fold, "Brazilian Pepper Education and Removal Initiative." Brazilian Pepper is a highly invasive plant species that is wreaking havoc on Florida ecosystems and crowding out the native plants that wildlife depends upon.  Here are a few facts about the plant: Widespread Impact: It is one of Florida's most aggressive pests, particularly in central and southern regions. Environmental Damage: It degrades mangrove ecosystems, alters hydrology, and displaces native species. Reproduction: The trees spread rapidly through bird-dispersed seeds. Health Hazards: The plant is related to poison ivy, with sap that causes skin irritation and airborne pollen that can cause respiratory issues. Removal: Due to its invasive nature, it is prohibited to possess, transport, or plant. Control Methods: Small plants can be pulled by hand, while larger trees generally require cutting, followed by herbicide treatment of the stump to prevent resprouting. Impact on Agriculture: It poses risks to livestock, forcing cattle ranchers to spend significant funds on eradication. Plans are to hold our first educational class about how to remove Brazilian Pepper from your own yard sometime in mid-March. Laura Ureta, the Arborist for the City of Ormond Beach, and Bryce Merritt from the Florida Dept. of Agriculture, will play a huge role in leading this project.  They are Co-Chairs of the OSLT's Environmental Committee and are both ISA Certified Arborists. If you would like to help us remove this destructive plant,  please consider signing up to become a member of our Brazilian Pepper (BP) Group, Your participation in either physically removing Brazilian Pepper plants with us, or in educating the public on the process, would be greatly appreciated!  We are also looking for leaders with experience in removing Brazilian Pepper to teach volunteers and lead a BP removal group. If that sounds like you, please let us know when you click the email sign-up link below.  Thank you so much! SIGN UP HERE ­ Here Today,  Gone Tomorrow Saturday, February 28th 10 am to 12 noon Ormond Beach Regional Library    30 S. Beach Street ­ Did you know that the Florida Ornithological Society lists over 500 species of birds on its Florida Bird Checklist?  At face value this is an impressive number but it fails to tell the full story. Some bird species only spend the winter months in Florida, while others return from points south to spend summer in our neighborhoods building nests and raising their young. Then there are those that only pass through during the spring and fall months on their long journeys to surprising places across the continents. What birds are we talking about? Join us on the 28th to find out about the avian wonders who visit our area each year! Presented by Joan Tague, President of the Halifax River Audubon Chapter ­ T W E N T Y   N A T I V E  W I L D F L O W E R S ­ Saturday, March 11th   11 am to 12 noon   Ormond Beach’s Environmental Discovery Center (EDC)  601 Division Avenue Learn about native flowering plants that provide color to the garden and food for pollinators. All of the plants discussed will be available for sale outside on the porch before & after the talk. Presented by Katie Tripp, Ph.D., Owner, Natural Beauty Native Florida Landscapes, LLC ­ ­ P R U N I N G    T R E ES ­ Saturday, March 14th   10 am to 12 noon   Ormond Beach Public Library 30 South Beach Street Join us as we cover best practices for pruning trees.  Almost anyone can use loppers or run a chainsaw, but understanding the biology behind the cuts is key to successfully meeting pruning goals.  Presented by Laura Ureta, OSLT, City of OB Environmental Improvement Officer, ISA Board Certified Arborist ­ T R E E   I D   W A L K Saturday, March 28th 10 am to 12 noon  Bulow Creek State Park 3351 Old Dixie Highway Ormond Beach ­ Join us for an informal walk in the woods and learn how to identify our most common trees and the easiest ways to tell them apart.  Participants will be gifted a book to help them differentiate between the many trees in Florida. Presented by Laura Ureta, City of Ormond Beach Environmental Improvement Officer, ISA Board Certified Arborist ­ ­ Beautiful Hike at Bulow Woods The 5th Annual ReGrow the Loop Walk at Bulow Woods this past Sunday was a great success!  The weather was perfect and more than 30 people came out to hear Ranger Mark Adams discuss this beautiful ecosystem. The hike started at the north entrance of Bulow Creek State Park from Walter Boardman to the Canal - and then East to Bulow Creek and back. Thank you Suzanne Scheiber of Ormond Einsteins and Ranger Adams for a great and informative afternoon!     ­ A group of OSLT volunteers recently enjoyed a casual meal after our January Leadership Team meeting at the Ormond Beach Library.  A huge thanks to the steadfast Volunteers who have been with us for a while, and to the new ones who recently stepped up to help us make a difference along the Loop. You are appreciated so much!  Marianne Burley - Community Outreach/Rack Cards, Mailing List Admin. Bryce Merritt - Co-chair Environmental Committee Jody Gibial-Miles - Community Outreach/Facebook Andrea L. Miller - Editor of our monthly OSLT Newsletter Alicia Oktar - Clean Up Crew Committee Maureen Pearson - Community Outreach/Farmer’s Market Karen Pillar - Community Outreach Committee Chair Julie Turcotte - Webmaster  Laura Ureta - Co-chair Environmental Committee We invite you to become a part of our National Scenic Byway volunteers - it's fun and you'll learn so much about our local community.  EMAIL us today!  ­ "Paving" at High Bridge Park Have you seen the new surface at Volusia County’s High Bridge Park?  Volusia County recently re-surfaced the roadway and parking areas in this popular fishing and boating launch location. Rather than paving with asphalt, the County utilized a “geo-web cellular confinement system” to help reduce the pot-holes and standing water that often pooled after heavy rains. The benefit of these geo-web systems is that they provide strong load distribution over weak soils, creating widespread weight support along the surface.  They also feature lateral drainage channels which inhibit flooding.  In the past the trailer parking area would wash-out after heavy rain and then require extensive and costly re-grading. According to Tim Baylie, the County’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, the cost of installing this system was one-fifth of what is normally spent on this type of project.  With this new surface in place, boaters can now park their trailers and enjoy the Park in almost any weather conditions. ­ OSLT volunteers will once again be participating in the Ormond Beach Farmer’s Market at the Ormond Beach City Hall, 22 S. Beach Street.  Mark your calendars for March 19th, April 16th and May 21st. Our volunteers will have plenty of information to share about the Loop so stop by and say hello!   ­  FDOT Moves North on A1A As road work continues along A1A from Granada north to Ormond by the Sea, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)  recently announced a new stage of roadway construction.  Beginning on February 18th, FDOT will shift northbound and southbound traffic on State Road (S.R.) A1A between Brooks Drive and Hibiscus Drive in Ormond Beach as part of their ongoing safety and resurfacing project. This transition is expected to remain in place for two months pending inclement weather or other unforeseen circumstances.  The speed limit of 30 mph throughout the corridor will be maintained. Signage and barrels will be in place to guide motorists through the work zone.  FDOT advises motorists to reduce speed, follow posted signage, and exercise extra caution. The project will introduce subtle alignment shifts, raised speed tables, and add curb and gutter along parts of the corridor.  Improvements also include adding left turn lanes at the intersection of Neptune Avenue for enhanced traffic operations. Pedestrian safety enhancements include new sidewalks where possible on the east side of the road, as well as a shared-use path on the west side of the road. Existing pedestrian curb ramps will be upgraded to current Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards. Raised midblock crossings with pedestrian activated signals called Rectangular Rapid-Flashing Beacons will also be installed at some locations.  To learn more about these safety beacons, click here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qf84NNd6jyE   For more information on the overall scope of this continuing FDOT project along A1A, CLICK HERE   ­ Our February Meeting  Wednesday, February 25th  5:15pm   Ormond Beach Public Library  Sandpiper Room 30 South Beach Street Ormond Beach, FL  To Attend  Remotely: For those attendlng remotely, please sign on 15 minutes early.  We have had some audio difficulty getting everyone online so our Team will be working out any technical problems before the 5:30 meeting starts. Microsoft Teams Need help? Join the meeting now Meeting 234 057 518 381 fD3uC3kF   Dial in by phone +1 850-739-5589,,106381209# United States, Tallahassee Find a local number Phone conference 106 381 209# ­ It's almost time for Bike Week along the Loop ­ The Mission of the Ormond Scenic Loop and Trail Byway organization is to protect and enhance the Loop by serving as a focused source of education, community outreach and enhancements projects consistent with our volunteer resources and guidelines of the Florida Scenic Highway and National Scenic Byway programs. ­  VISIT OUR WEBSITE ormondscenicloopandtrail.com Ormond Scenic Loop & Trail Corridor Management Entity, Inc. P.O. Box 1807, Ormond Beach  32175 OrmondScenicLoop@gmail.com #OrmondScenicLoop     View in browser | Unsubscribe This email was sent to nancygaldo@gmail.com You've received it because you've subscribed to our newsletter.

Best regards,

Nancy Galdo

Vice Chair, OSLT
Ormond Beach, Florida
305-467-4412
nancygaldo@gmail.com