Flagler County officials: It’s illegal to pick palmetto berries on public land

FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. — Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is reminding residents that while palmetto berries might be tempting to pick, it is illegal to do so due to a county ordinance.

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“The word is out that there is no palmetto berry picking allowed on county-owned lands. The FCSO arrested several trespassers who were picking palmetto berries at county parks back on August 1, and then this morning our caretaker at River to Sea walked outside and saw several guys with berry picking apparatus. They took off and left their gear when they saw him,” Flagler County Public Lands and Natural Resource Manager Mike Lagasse said in a news release. “While some private property owners allow the harvesting of the berries with permission, picking palmetto berries is not allowed on Flagler County owned or managed preserves and parks.”

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Officials said palmetto berry harvesting has been problematic in the past for private property owners, and the county’s many natural areas.

“Palmetto berry harvesting activities reduce the amount of food available for wildlife and can create unwanted trails and debris on our public lands,” Lagasse said in the news release. “These berry pickers are working in hazardous conditions, damaging our parks, and interrupting food sources for our native wildlife. Out-of-county private companies profit off it. Also, keep in mind Gopher tortoises are a threatened wildlife species and are protected by state law.”

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It is also against the ordinance to remove soil, rock, sand, stones, trees, shrubs, plants, or wood materials, the news release states. Violators can face a penalty of up to $500.

“People might say they have permission to pick the berries, but this is absolutely untrue of Flagler County public lands. Palmetto berries are an important wildlife food,” Lagasse said. “There are no licenses in effect for individuals to harvest palmetto berries from county-owned properties.”

Anyone who sees people harvesting palmetto berries on county-owned property should call 386-313-4064, or the Flagler County Sheriff’s non-emergency number at 386-313-4911.

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