John Sibley, 1950-2021

John Sibley was a long-time member of the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and served the Florida Association of Native Nurseries (FANN) as president & co-president for eight years. He served as the Coccoloba Chapter President for ten years! He was introduced to FANN long ago at one of our Annual Conferences and John had moved from Connecticut to Florida to start a landscaping business and readily embraced native plants. He has been a force for nature in Lee County ever since, working with WGCU on a native plant landscaping documentary series, serving on county advisory boards for extension and roadways, being personally involved in hundreds of native plant sales and award-winning landscape and garden projects throughout Southwest Florida. He was awarded the 2020 Mike Kenton Award by FANN at their Annual Members Meeting in December 2020.

John was not only a great advocate for native plants, he was also a good friend to many of us. John had many great qualities but perhaps most admirable is his care and affection for his employees -- a phenomenal crew and the envy of any green operation. Thanks to John's leadership, All Native Garden Center & Plant Nursery's future is bright with Joaquin Herrera at the helm.

FANN is holding a memorial day for John at All Native Nursery on February 6, 2022.

by Marlene Rodak, Coccoloba Chapter and Cammie Donaldson, Conradina Chapter, first published in the Sabal minor 23(2).


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