As part of the LIFE IP AZORES NATURA project, a specimen of Pampas Grass (Cortaderia selloana) was recently removed from a plot of land in the centre of Ponta Delgada, on the island of São Miguel, after its presence and the imminent risk of seed dispersal had been reported.

Given the need to take preventive action against this invasive alien species, the team from the São Miguel Environment and Climate Action Service carried out a control operation on an exceptional basis. The operation followed the appropriate technical procedures, with the plumes first being cut and packed into bags for subsequent disposal at a landfill site. This was followed by removing the plant by the roots and transferring it to the MUSAMI Green Space.

This action underscores the importance of early detection and rapid intervention to prevent the spread of invasive species. Given the increasing spread of Pampas Grass on São Miguel, public and private bodies, as well as members of the public, must remain vigilant and ensure the timely removal of any identified specimens.

As a complementary measure to enhance the area’s ecological value, plans include planting heather (Erica azorica), a species endemic to the Azores, at the site where the work took place, helping replace invasive vegetation with endemic flora and enhancing the region’s natural heritage. With the financial support of the LIFE Programme of the European Union.