Florida Wildflower Symposium October 15th

The Florida Wildflower Foundation’s 2011 Florida Wildflower Symposium and Annual Meeting on Oct. 15 has adopted a hands-on format that lets participants choose from a variety of workshops and presentations.

 

The event at the Wekiwa Springs State Park Youth Camp, Apopka, begins with a 9 a.m. FWF member meeting. Morning presentations about wildflower trails and the Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants Web site (www.florida.plantatlas.usf.edu) will follow. 

After a lunch break in the camp’s dining hall, participants will attend a workshop or presentation of their choosing. Sessions include:

• Native Landscaping for Fall with Dr. Craig Huegel, a naturalist, author and educator who teaches about wildlife and native plant communities. 
• Wildflower Propagation for Home Gardeners, a workshop led by Claudia Larsen of Micanopy Wildflowers nursery.
• Selecting and Preparing Herbarium Specimens, led by University of South Florida herbarium specialist Alan Franck, who will teach participants about specimen selection, drying and pressing.
• Wildflower and Nature Photography, a presentation/workshop led by Vince Lamb, an experienced nature photographer and Florida Master Naturalist.
• Wildflower Walk with author Dr. Walter Taylor, who will explore the woods and sandhills near the youth camp in search of wildflowers and grasses to identify.
• Natural Lands Management, led by a Wekiwa Springs State Park ranger who will discuss how fire and other tools are used to maintain the park’s thousands of acres.

A social from 3-5 p.m. will feature refreshments, a silent auction and door prizes. Native plants, seeds and other items will be for sale throughout the day.

 

You'll be able to purchase wildflower seeds bred from Florida stock.

Admission is $20 for Foundation members and $30 for non-members, including lunch and refreshments. Day-of tickets will be $25 for members and $35 for non-members. Space is limited to 150, with most workshops limited to 25 participants; pre-registration is encouraged in order to receive your first choice of workshops. Visit the FWF Web site, www.flawildflowers.org, to register via PayPal or to download a registration form to mail with a check. (To check the status of your FWF annual membership, email Lisa Roberts at lroberts@flawildflowers.org or call 407-353-6164.)

 

FWF members and friends also are invited to paddle on Sunday, Oct. 16, with Lars Andersen of Adventure Outpost, who will lead a trip on Rock Springs Run near Apopka. Lars, who offers regular discounts to FWF members, is offering this trip at a reduced rate of $39, or $29 with your own canoe or kayak. Reservations only – contact Adventure Outpost: 386- 454-0611; riverguide2000@yahoo.com