Florida Native Plant Society Blog

Longtime Florida Native Plant Society member, Oakland Nature Preserve (ONP) founder and past president of the board, Jim Thomas died Sunday, September 19, quietly at his home in Winter Garden after a long debilitating illness. His wife of 60 years, Margaret (Ms. Peg), was with him. A fifth generation Floridian, Jim was born in November, 1930. He grew up filling his pockets full of critters as he explored the outdoors, which he loved so much. This love of nature followed Jim into his adults life, and he continued his education in biology and environmental studies receiving his B.S. from Florida State University and MS from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. He also attended Yale University, University of Florida, North Carolina State University, University of Puerto Rico and Rutgers University for additional graduate studies. In 1990, he settled with his family into the West Orange Community and showed us that many positive things are possible, and quality of life can b...