Conference participants volunteer to improve local wetlands

Nearly 400 HSBC North-America executives who are visiting Lee County for a conference are partnering with Lee County Parks & Recreation and Conservation 20/20 staff. Volunteers will remove the non-native invasive tree called melaleuca from the wetland areas of a recently acquired Lee County preserve on Friday Jan. 11 from 1 to 5 p.m..

HSBC North-America is one of the Top 10 financial services companies in the U.S.

Volunteers will work on the Imperial Marsh Preserve (Galloway Tract. The site is roughly seven miles east of Interstate 75 on Corkscrew Road (exit No. 123).

Melaleuca was introduced to Florida about 150 years ago as a method of draining land so it could better be used for agriculture and development. Not only was it exceedingly effective at lowing the water table, it was extremely invasive and took over many areas of South Florida, replacing natural vegetation and destroying wildlife habitat. The removal of melaleuca and initial restoration of the Galloway Tract of the Imperial Marsh will benefit the preserve and surrounding area by allowing the natural plant communities to flourish, ultimately improving the ecosystem processes that affect Lee County's water and air quality.

As part of its long-standing green commitment and community engagement, HSBC partners with local organizations on environmental and educational projects for executives at conferences so they can experience first hand the rewards of making a difference in the communities they serve or visit.

For information call Betsy Clayton, (239) 826-4606 or Kathy Cahill, (239) 707-0876 or go to www.leeparks.org