Neighbors of Conservation 20/20 preserves and others are being asked to be on the lookout for people illegally harvesting saw palmetto berries from the preserves.

If you see what you believe are illegal berry harvests, call the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at (239) 477-1000.

Pickers frequently arrive in trucks that park on the edge of preserve, or even cut fences to drive right in, and disperse with bags or buckets to take the berries.

Recently, Lee County park rangers and deputies have intercepted groups illegally harvesting the berries.

Citations have been issued at the Alva Scrub Preserve, the Galt Preserve and others.

The berries are a critical food source of several native Florida species and are essential to the ecosystem.

Florida closed state lands to berry picking this year; county preserves have always been closed to harvesting.