Florida Native Plant Society Blog

You may recall the fight between two gardeners and the Village of Miami Shores in 2016 [1] . The two gardeners were growing vegetables in their front yard which violated the Village's zoning code Sec. 536 (5): "Vegetable gardens are permitted in rear yards only." [2] The case almost made it to the Florida Supreme Court [3] but the justices refused to hear it [4] . They were represented by attorney Ari Bargill of the non-profit Institute for Justice[5]. Florida State Senator Rob Bradley (R-Fleming Island) has taken up their cause this session, filing SB 82: Vegetable Gardens last week. Relevance to Native Plant Enthusiasts Ordinances restricting gardens in front yards reflect a reliance on outdated standards of landscaping that favor manicured green lawns that are ecologically sterile and provide little habitat for native bees, butterflies, and birds.  Ordinances and zoning codes restricting ecologically or nutritionally beneficial landscaping are often justified b

Clasping Warea is a Federally-Endangered plant. Our mission is to protect the native plants of Florida, and there are no plants that need protection more than ones that are on the endangered species list!  We have been working since 2012 on monitoring Clasping Warea on the Warea Tract of the Seminole State Forest. Tarflower Chapter leads volunteer outings and hikes in this valuable property that is otherwise closed to the public.  We also monitor three other sites with Clasping Warea within the rapidly developing Central Florida area. We have decided to take action to protect the largest population of Clasping Warea in Florida. It’s unprotected and could be developed at any time.  We’re calling this place “The Warea Area” because there’s so much of it, plus, it rolls right off the tongue. View our photo album of this beautiful piece of real Florida here .  Help us save this endangered species by donating today.