Florida Native Plant Society Blog

In case you missed it, the FNPS Board Meeting and Council of Chapters Meeting was on August 13 at the  FFS Leadership Training Center in Haines City.  If you want to know more about what the Society is doing on the state level to support chapters and further our mission, or if you want to make a meaningful contribution to the society, please consider attending one of the quarterly retreats. Here are some of the  highlights  of what  we discussed and accomplished. To read t he complete summary, along with additional topics, click  here .  Submitted by Donna Bollenbach     FNPS Meets the Wild West…. The venue for the 2017 FNPS conference (May 17-21, 2017) was unveiled and approved by the board, and the winner is  Westgate River Ranch Resort & Rodeo.  In a secluded location just south of US Hwy 60 on the Kissimmee River, Westgate River Ranch is centrally located between the Atlantic and Gulf beaches within Polk C...

by Mark Kateli, Tarflower Chapter I thought I knew my FNPS tribe! We were the rough riders of the Florida landsc ape that understood natural beauty in a manufactured civilization. But here in Camp Kulaqua (run by Seventh Day Adventists) I found pillows, pressed sheets, and (gasp!) Wi-Fi. Accommodations Being a city boy this was certainly a welcomed sight as we are all accustomed to so many amenities that are taken for granted every day. That being said, this was certainly not the retreat I had envisioned in my head- chilly nights, encircled around a campfire in the middle of nowhere, listening to coyotes howling away, and cold showers in the morning. This was, comparatively, upscale living. Opening Night Friday was an informal social gathering in the evening by the entrance lobby. I did, as usual, hobnob with some other local chapter members. In particular, I had a long conversation with Ina Crawford of Sweetbay Chapter. It was as though the heavens were listening to...

The zebra longwing is a fall favorite throughout the state. Fall is THE best time to enjoy Florida's natural areas. The weather is cooler, the mosquitoes are fewer, and there are plenty of plants and animals to see in the fall. Visit a bunch of Florida's state parks this fall. Your use and support will help financially and it will also help the parks to make their case to the state that they are worth saving.  You'll be voting with your dollars. And you'll be in the midst of "The Real Florida!" What could be better? Find an FNPS chapter near you and join it--TODAY! FNPS Chapters If you're not a Florida Native Plant Society member, now is a great time to find a chapter. Fall is the beginning of their programs and field trips. There are 37 chapters across the state. Find your local chapter on our website http://fnps.org/chapters Many people appreciate the fine work our native plant society does for Florida and her ecosystems, but for some...