St. Lucie County Environmental Resources Officials are reminding residents that it is illegal to harvest any fruit, berries, plants or animals found throughout county preserves.
Recently staff has encountered people picking palmetto berries from several preserves. Staff has also found signs of poachers who have cut fences and gate chains to access sites after hours.
The berries have become a popular commodity for pickers due to the increase in cost per pound being paid by buyers. The buyers than sell the berries to pharmaceutical companies who convert them into supplements used for prostate health, and for other medicinal purposes.