US Fish & Wildlife Service provided for $16,827 and a one year grant from the Florida Wildflower Foundation for $2,188 will fund the completion of the project. The US F & W Service funds will primarily fund the purchase and maintenance of scrub trees and shrubs and the Florida Wildflower Foundation will fund seed and plants of native flowering scrubs, herbs and grasses.

The project emphasizes three species of scrub oak trees normally found in the endangered scrub habitat. These include the sand-live oak, myrtle oak and the Chapman oak. Several other species of trees are also included. .Total plants are now 4,500 + 2250 plants have been planted in the scrub project for a total of 6,750 through 2008. 2009 plantings are not included. In addition many pounds of seed have supplemented these plantings. Two and one-half acres have been planted in native flowering species this spring near the Scrub Project Pavilion and along the Multipurpose Perimeter Trail. This should produce some interesting color this summer and in future years while adding to the diversity of plants in the site. Over 160 species of Florida Native trees, shrubs, herbs and grasses have been planted in the scrub project.

The scrub project co-coordinators Ron Plakke and Peg Urban have received over $30,000 in eight grants plus private contributions. The spouses of the coordinators also have made major contributions to the project. Hal Urban has contributed a personal tractor and equipment and serves as the project's heavy equipment operator and Barb Plakke serves as the coordinator of the Demonstration Butterfly Garden near the Scrub Project Pavilion.

The many volunteers that have planted, watered, weeded and performed many other services have produced almost $110,000 worth of matching funds, by the donation of equipment, labor or other in-kind contributions.

Grants and/or significant support have been received from Lake County Water Authority, National Tree Trust, Florida Native Plant Society, Florida Wildflower Foundation, the US Fish & Wildlife Service, Central Florida Woman's Club, Eagle Projects of the BSA and Lowe's. Additional contributions have been received from individual monetary contributions.

The final phase of scrub restoration will be planted in 2009. If you would like to become involved in this project or one of the several other PEAR Association sponsored restoration projects at PEAR Park, contact us at PEAR Association, Inc. P.O. Box 424, Okahumpka, FL 34762. Please indicate your phone number and/or your e-mail and we will contact you..