Ournaturalhistorytour toBelizeonOctober25to November2,2008,isnearly soldout!Only4spaces remainforthe9-dayitinerary thatfeaturesaccommodations in3greatjunglelodges, explorationsofmultiple ecosystems,andvarietyof activities,suchasrainforest andwildlifenaturewalks, visitingMayanruins,cave floatsandboatingonrivers.
Thecostof$3,300per personincludesairfarefrom Miami,lodging,mealsand tours.Youcanviewand downloadadetailedbrochure atwww.ExplorationsInc.com, orcall800-446-9660.
Thistourwasdesigned specificallyforFNPSandis limitedto20participants. Callsoontoreserveyour spaceforthisgreattrip.
2008EndowmentGrants In2008FNPSreceived 27applicationsforEndowment GrantResearchAwards,nearly twicethenumberreceivedlast year.Aftermuchconsideration, thereviewcommitteeagreed onthreeproposalswhichwill receivefunding.Theseare:
BeyteBarriosRoque, FloridaInternational University. “Fire,flowering, andfragmentation:The effectsofseasonalfireon thereproductivebiology ofpinelandallamanda
PhotoCorrection Twoeagle-eyedreaders notedthatthephotoof Scutellariafloridana onthe coverofPALMETTO25:2 wasprintedupsidedown. ThanksgotoDr.Loran AndersonandCharles McCartneyforcontacting theeditor.Hereisthecorrect orientationforthephoto. PhotocourtesyofExplorationsInc., BonitaSprings,FL
(Angadeniaberteroi),arare shrubofthepinerocklands.”
ElizabethL.Stephens, UniversityofCentral Florida. “Effectsofhabitat, micrositeandseeddensityon seedlimitationandseedling establishmentinnative scrublandandscrub undergoingrestoration.”
TaniaWyss, University ofMiami. “Domycorrhizal fungilimitestablishment of Pinuselliottii var. densa seedlings?”
Palmetto isinneedofarticlesonnativeplantspeciesandrelatedconservationtopics,aswellas high-qualitybotanicalillustrationsandphotographs.Contacttheeditorforguidelines,deadlinesandotherinformation atpucpuggy@bellsouth.net,orvisitwww.fnps.org andfollowthelinkstoPublications/Palmetto.
ThepurposeoftheFloridaNative PlantSociety istopreserve,conserve, andrestorethenativeplantsandnative plantcommunitiesofFlorida.
Officialdefinitionofnativeplant: Formostpurposes,thephrase Florida nativeplant referstothosespecies occurringwithinthestateboundariesprior toEuropeancontact,accordingtothebest availablescientificandhistoricaldocumentation.Morespecifically,itincludesthose speciesunderstoodasindigenous,occurringinnaturalassociationsinhabitatsthat existedpriortosignificanthumanimpacts andalterationsofthelandscape.
Organization: Membersareorganized intoregionalchaptersthroughout Florida.EachchapterelectsaChapter Representativewhoservesasavoting memberoftheBoardofDirectorsandis responsibleforadvocatingthechapter’s needsandobjectives.See www.fnps.org
BoardofDirectors
ExecutiveOfficers
President –EugeneKelly PastPresident –ShirleyDenton VicePresident,Admin. –AnnRedmond VicePresident,Finance –SteveWoodmansee Treasurer– SusanThompson Secretary– ChristinaUranowski
CommitteeChairs
Communications –CindyLiberton Conference –StephanieBrown Conservation –VolunteerNeeded ConservationViceChair –SuzanneKennedy DevelopmentSub-Committee –RayWunderlichIII Education –VolunteerNeeded Policy&Legislation –AnnieSchmidt Policy&LegislationViceChair –KimZarillo LandscapeAwards –JakeIngram LandscapeAwardsViceChair –ScottSager Membership –LynkaWoodbury MembershipViceChair –KathleenEast PublicLandsManagement Sub-Committee –CharliePedersen Publications –BobEgolf Science –PaulSchmalzer
Directors-at-large AnneBirch (2007-2009) SueDingwell (2007-2009) RayJarrett (2007-2009) LynneFlannery (2008-2010) RickJoyce (2008-2010) FritzWettstein(2008-2010)
Tocontactboardmembers: Visitwww.fnps.org orwritecareof: FNPS–POBox278 MelbourneFL32902-0278
Tojoinorforinquiries: ContactyourlocalChapterRepresentative,or call,write,oremailFNPS,orvisitourwebsite. FloridaNativePlantSociety POBox278 MelbourneFL32902-0278 Phone:(321)271-6702 info@fnps.org•www.fnps.org
Webmaster –PaulRebmann
ContractServices
ExecutiveDirector –KarinaVeaudry AccountingServices –Joslin&Hershkowitz AdministrativeServices –CammieDonaldson Editor,Palmetto –MarjorieShropshire Editor,SabalMinor –RosalindRowe
EndowmentGrantAwardwinnersTaniaWyssandElizabethL.Stephenswith FNPSScienceChairDr.PaulSchmalzer.PhotobyJanAllyn.
Palmetto Features 42008 DesignWithNatives Awards Fromlargerestorationprojectstobackyardedens,native plantsarebeingusedtoimprovelandscapesaroundFlorida. Learnaboutthewinnersofthisyear’s DesignWithNatives LandscapeAwardsandseephotosoftheirachievements.
10TheSustainableConference RayWunderlichhighlightshowthe2008FNPSconference wasgreenerandmoresustainable,andencouragesmembers tokeepsustainabilityinmindthroughouttheyear.
122008PalmettoAwards TheAnnualConferenceistheperfectvenuetohonorthose whoseservicetoFNPShasbeenoutstanding.Meetthisyear’s GreenandSilverPalmettoAwardwinners.
15ConferenceHighlightsandPartingShots FNPSMemberLindaJ.Wilsonsharesherexperiences atthe2008Conference.
Departments 2 NewsandAnnouncements 16FNPSChapters
ONTHECOVER: ConferenceImages–Top: LandscapeAwardofHonorwinner, “TheEntryLandscapetoRiverCamp.”
Below,lefttoright: Dr.WalterTayloras botanistAndr´eMichaux;nativeplant flowerarrangementfromthe“greenart” workshop; Hypericumtetrapetalum; MyakkaRiverStateParkfieldtrip. PhotosbyMarjorieShropshire,PegLindsay.
MakeadifferencewithFNPS Yourmembershipsupportsthepreservation andrestorationofwildlifehabitatsandbiological diversitythroughtheconservationofnative plants.Italsofundsawardsforleadersinnative planteducation,preservationandresearch.
Pleaseconsiderupgradingyour membershiplevelwhenyourenew.
● Newmember/giftmembership$25
● Renewing individual$35
● Familyorhousehold$50
● Contributing$75 (with$25goingtotheEndowment)
● Not-for-profitorganization$50
● Businessorcorporate$125
● Supporting$100
● Donor$250
● Lifetime$1,000
● Fulltimestudent$15
● Librarysubscription$15
ThePalmetto (ISSN0276-4164)Copyright2008,FloridaNativePlantSociety,allrightsreserved.Nopartofthecontentsofthismagazinemaybereproducedby anymeanswithoutwrittenconsentoftheeditor. ThePalmetto ispublishedfourtimesayearbytheFloridaNativePlantSociety(FNPS)asabenefittomembers. Theobservationsandopinionsexpressedinattributedcolumnsandarticlesarethoseoftherespectiveauthorsandshouldnotbeinterpretedasrepresentingtheofficial viewsoftheFloridaNativePlantSocietyortheeditor,exceptwhereotherwisestated.
EditorialContent: Wehaveacontinuinginterestinarticlesonspecificnativeplantspeciesandrelatedconservationtopics,aswellashigh-qualitybotanical illustrationsandphotographs.Contacttheeditorforsubmittalguidelines,deadlinesandotherinformation.
Editor: MarjorieShropshire,VisualKeyCreative,Inc. ● pucpuggy@bellsouth.net ● Telephone(772)232-1384 ● 855NEStokesTerrace,JensenBeachFL34957 Printedonrecycledcontentpaper
2008 AwardsLandscape DesignWithNatives EachyearattheAnnualConference,FNPShonorstheuseofnativeplantsinrestorativeand traditionallandscapeinstallationswiththe DesignWithNatives program,whichgivesamateur andprofessionaldesignersanopportunitytosharetheireffortsandbehonoredfortheirachievements.
1 CommercialCategory:AwardofHonor
Project:TheEntryLandscapetoRiverCampsatCrookedCreek,BayCounty,FL
St.JoeCompany–Developer
Designer:EcoPlanofFt.Lauderdale,LandscapeArchitects
Applicant/Contractor:AllProLandscaping,Tallahassee,FL
RobinBarber,President/Owner
Theexistinglandscapecontainstypicalpineflatwoods species–longleafandslashpinewithanunderstoryofyaupon holly,sawpalmetto,gallberry,blueberry,andvariousherbaceous annualsandperennials,withwiregrassthedominantspecies.
Theuseofnativevegetationisrequiredinthedevelopment, andtheentrymaintainsmuchofitsexistingvegetation,which
wasprotectedthroughoutconstruction.Existingspecieswere enhancedwithadditionalplantings.Dripirrigationwas installedalongwiththenewplantingsbutisdesignedtoonly beusedintimesofdroughtafterplantsareestablished.
Plantspeciesinclude: Aristidastricta,Conradinacanescens, Gaillardiapulchella,Hypericumreductum,Ilexvomitoria,Iteavirginica ‘sprich’,Liatris species, Lobeliacardinalis,Magnoliagrandiflora, Magnoliavirginiana,Muhlenbergiacapillaris ‘pink’,Myricacerifera, Oxydendrumarboreum,Panicumvirgatum,Pinuspalustris,Pityopsis graminifolia,Rhododendronaustrinum,Rhododendroncanescens, Serenoarepens ‘silver’,Vacciniumarboreum,Vacciniumelliottii, Viburnumobovatum,Zamiapumila.
The2008FNPSLandscapeAwardsCommittee consistedofJakeIngram,ScottSagerandKarinaVeaudry.Scott isaSeniorProjectManager/ConservationEasementspecialistwithEnvironmentalServices,Inc.,Jacksonville, Florida;JakeisaLandscapeArchitect,andKarinaisFNPS’ExecutiveDirector.
2 InstitutionalCategory:AwardofHonor
Project:NativePlantDisplayGarden,MountsBotanicalGarden,WestPalmBeach,FL
Designer:RobHopper,LandscapeArchitect,SouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrict
Installers:FNPSChapterVolunteersandMountsBotanicalGardenStaff
Owner:MountsBotanicalGarden,PalmBeachCountyCooperativeExtensionService
FNPSPalmBeachChapterreceivedanFNPSChaptergrantin 2005todesign,install,andmaintainanativeplantdisplaygardenat theClaytonHutchinsonBuildinglocatedinMountsBotanicalGarden.
ManyoftheplantswerepurchasedbyMountsaspartofthiscollaborativeeffort,including4specimenpigeonplumtreesand8specimen silverpalms.Mountsstaffinstalledthelargertreesandthearbor.FNPS membershostedafielddaytoinstallmorethan250additionalplants.
Thegoalsforthegardenincludedincreasingpublicawarenessof thevarietyofnativeplantsavailable,demonstratingtheirusewithin aplanned(versus“wild”)landscape,andoutreachforthePalmBeach ChapteroftheFNPS
Sincethegarden’slocationisthesameasthemonthlyChapter meeting,itisreadilyaccessibleformaintenanceevents.Duringwarmer months,membersgatheronehourbeforetheregularmeetingtodo neededmaintenancework.
Amanualoutliningthemaintenancegoalsofthedemonstration gardenhasbeenprovidedtoMountsstaff,whonotonlyprovidedaily oversight,buthavegenerouslycontributedbothresourcesandlabor tothecontinuingsuccessofthedemonstrationgarden.
3 InstitutionalCategory:AwardofExcellence
Project:Pan’sGarden,PalmBeach,FL
Applicant:Sanchez&Maddux,Inc.,LandscapeArchitects
Owner:PreservationFoundationofPalmBeach
Contractor:RainforestGardens
Establishedin1994Pan’sGardentakesitsnamefromthebronzestatue ofPanofRohallionresidingattheentryreflectingpool.
Theoriginalsiteofthisgardenconsistedofadilapidatedhouseand aparkinglotwhichmeasuredapproximately150by250feet.
Today,insteadofasphalt,thissmallbotanicalparkandgardenfeatures over300speciesandcultivarsofnativetrees,shrubs,grassesandwildflowers, manyofwhichareendangered.Eachplant’sexistenceinFloridapredatesexplorer JuanPoncedeLeón(1460-1521)andeachisindigenoustoPalmBeachCounty.
ThelandscapeconceptwastoshowcasetwodistinctecotonesofSouthFlorida plantcommunities.Freshwaterwetlandsandhardwoodhighlands longitudinallybookendthesite.Theselectednativeplantsareincorporatedinto uplandandwetlandareasandwereinstalledtodisplaytheirnaturallyoccurring relationshipstooneanother.Theuplandscontainoaks,dahoonholly,American beautyberry,ferns,andblue-eyedgrass.
Inthefreshwaterbog-wetlandresidemaples,stoppers,andtheextraordinary summerbloomsofthe Hibiscusgrandiflorus orswamphibiscus.
4 MitigationCategory:AwardofHonor
Project:PossumBranchPreserve,SafetyHarbor,PinellasCounty,FL Owner:PinellasCountyBoardofCommissioners
Designers:PaulBerlage,P.E.,StephenRobinson,BelindaBockLambert Contractor:BiologicalResearchAssociates,Inc.
PossumBranchPreserveisa25.4acreparcelinupper PinellasCounty.ThesiteconsistedofflatwoodsandbottomlandhardwoodforestpriortotheconstructionoftheLake TarponOutfallCanal,whenlargeamountsofdredgedspoil materialweredepositedoverthearea.Subsequentlytheland wasusedaspasture.
Numerousexoticswerepresent,includingBrazilian pepper(Schinusterebinthifolius),Chinesetallow(Sapium sebiferum),camphor(Cinnamomumcamphora)andtropical sodaapple(Solanumviarum).
Situatedattheintersectionoftwomajorarterialroads, thesitewasproposedforcommercialzoningwhenpublic outcrypromptedtheCountytopurchasetheproperty.
Avarietyofhabitatswereincorporatedintothedesign, includinganoligohalinemarsh,aforestedseepslope,freshwater marshes,openwater,hardwoodhammock,cypressswamp andpineflatwoods.Thisdiversitywasexpectedtoprovide anabundanceofwildlifeandthusanopportunityforpassive recreation.Signshavebeenpostedateachgateentrance, explainingthepurposeandnatureofthesite.Possible futureadditionsincludeeducationalkiosks,benches,plant
identificationlabels,aswellaspartnershipswithlocalschools foruseasanoutdoorclassroom.
Thewettereasternborderwassteeredtowardsahardwoodhammock,augmentedwithsuchspeciesassouthern magnolia(Magnoliagrandiflora),pignuthickory(Caryaglabra), wildcoffee(Psychotrianervosa)andlizard’stail(Saururus cernuus).Thesouthernborderprovidedthebeginningsof aflatwoodscommunity–longleafpine,sawpalmetto (Serenoarepens),beautyberry(Callicarpaamericana)and wiregrass(Aristidastricta var. beyrichiana)wereinstalled.
Asignificantbenefitofthisprojectiswaterquality improvement.Stormwaterfromadjacentdevelopmentsis routedthroughthePreserve’swetlandsbeforebeing dischargedintotheLakeTarponOutfallCanal,andtheninto LakeTarpon,adesignatedOutstandingFloridaWater.
5 TransportationCategory:AwardofHonor PascoCountyGatewayProject
CountyLineRoad&ShadyHillsRoadIntersection
Designer:MikeKenton
Owner:BoardofCommissioners,PascoCounty
FloridaNativePlantSociety’sNatureCoastChapter decidedin2003tolandscapethisintersectiontodemonstrate theviabilityandbeautyofusingnativeplantsinadry, harshenvironment.
TheintersectionisthegatewaytobothPascoand HernandoCounties,andthe1,500sq.ft.trafficislandwas previouslycoveredwithweedsandtrash.
TheplantingsfollowedMikeKenton’sdesignutilizing agrantfrom“FDOTKeepPascoBeautiful.”Plantingswere initiallywateredusinghand-held5gallonbuckets.Pasco CountyPublicWorksperformsroutinemaintenancewith NatureCoastChaptermembers’oversight.Thesiteisnow firmlyestablishedandrequiresnoadditionalwatering.
Plantsinstalledincludeliveoak,coontie,Simpson’sstopper,Walters’viburnum,silversawpalmetto,blanketflower, muhlygrass,Americanholly,anddwarfFakahatcheegrass.
TheprojectpartneredtheNatureCoastChapterwiththe environmentalgroup‘KeepPascoBeautiful’,Commissioner PatMulieriandthePascoCountyPublicWorksDept.
NativeLandscapingResources Learnhowtogetstartedwithalandscapeprojectusingnativeplants
Books: NaturalFloridaLandscaping –DanWaltonandLaurelSchiller–PineapplePress Florida’sBestNativeLandscapePlants –GilNelson–UniversityPressofFlorida GrowingNative –RichardW.Workman–TheSanibel-CaptivaConservationFoundationInc.(outofprint) AGardener’sGuidetoFlorida’sNativePlants –RufinoOsorio–UniversityPressofFlorida NativeFloridaPlants –RobertG.HaehleandJoanBrookwell–GulfPublishingCompany
Online: TheFloridaNativePlantSociety–www.FNPS.org (clickthelink“PlantingNatives”) InstituteforRegionalConservation–www.regionalconservation.org AssociationofFloridaNativeNurseries–www.afnn.org StetsonUniversity’sNativePlantWeb–http://www.stetson.edu/plants/index.php FloridaExoticPestPlantCouncil–http://www.fleppc.org/ AtlasofFloridaVascularPlants–http://www.plantatlas.usf.edu/
Continuedonpage8
6 WildflowerGardenCategory:AwardofHonor Project:DowntownTallahasseeWildflowerGarden, FDOT/HaydonBurnsBuilding,LafayetteStreet,Tallahassee,FL Designers:JeffCasterandMarcVidal Contractor:AllProLandscaping,Tallahassee,FL Owner:FloridaWildflowerFoundation
2008 AwardsLandscape DesignWithNatives Thisone-halfacreslopeindowntownTallahassee,located betweenLafayetteStreetandtheFloridaDepartmentof Transportation/HaydonBurnsBuildingwaspreviously coveredwithcentipedegrassandafewmaturetrees.
WithfundsfromthesaleofFloridaWildflowerLicensePlates, theFoundationandDepartmentsuccessfullypurchased,planted, established,andcontinuestomanageFloridanativewildflower plantsacrosspartsoftheslopeandwithinremnantbedlines remainingfromtheoriginal1966landscapeplan.
Thepurposeofprojectistogenerateunderstanding,enthusiasm,andinterestinFloridaecotypesofnativewildflowers
Nativespeciesinthegardeninclude Coreopsislanceolata, C.leavenworthii,Rudbeckiahirta,Gaillardiapulchella,Muhlenbergia capillaris,Serenoarepens,Hydrangeaquercifolia, and Zamiapumila.
Theirrigationsystemhasonlybeenneededfourtimessince theplantswereestablishedin2005,andthegardencontinuesto thrive,reseedingasitapproachesitsfourthgrowingseason.
7
7 ResidentialCategory:AwardofHonor Project:ElizabethandThomasFlynnResidence OrmondBeach,VolusiaCountyFL Designer/Installer/Maintainer:ElizabethFlynn
Purchasedin2003,thishomehadastandard80’x100’lot withatypicallandscapeofflowerbedsandturfgrass.
Thetransitiontoamorenaturallandscapebeganby removingallbutasmallsectionoflawnwhichwasretained asaplayarea.Thiscanbeeasilymanagedwithapushmower.
Threewaterfeatureswereadded,includingaboganda3foot-deeppond.Solaraeratorspercolateoxygeninthepondsand three65-gallonrainbarrelsareusedtorefillthewaterfeatures.
Over120speciesofplantsliveinthegarden,including yellowlotus,lizard’stail,yellowcanna,starrush,goldenrod, mockbishop’sweed,scorpion’stail,frostweed,horsetail,royal fern,andsensitivemimosa.Sincethegardenwasplanted,bird speciesincreasedfrom4to19;andbutterflyandmothspecies havegonefrom3to12,nearlyhalfofwhichareusingnewly installedlarvalhostplants.
TheyardisaCertifiedFloridaYard(IFASFloridaYardsand Neighborsprogram),isontheBackyardWildlifeHabitatregistry withtheNationalWildlifeFederation,andin2005wonthe WaterAuthorityofVolusia’sWater-wiseLandscapeAwardfor theCityofOrmondBeach.
8
ResidentialCategory:AwardofExcellence
Project:TransformationtoaFloridaYard
NewPortRichey,PascoCountyFL
Designer/Owner/Installer/Maintainer:DorisBareiss
Thishomelandscapewascreatedinitiallybythehome builder,whoinstalledanexpanseSt.Augustinelawn,an automaticirrigationsystemandexotic,non-nativeplantings. Afterthehomewaspurchased,theregimeofcontinued watering,fertilizing,mowingandsprayingsoonconvinced thenewownersthiswasnotatrue,sustainableFloridayard.
AfterseekinginformationfromFNPS,theybegantoreplace exoticswithnativeplantsandtheirrigationsystemwasdisconnectedinfavorofrainbarrels.Airconditioningcondensatewas evendirectedtoplantsasneededforirrigation.
Despiteinitialdifficultywiththeneighborhoodhomeowners association,theownershaveusedtheiryardasaneducational elementinthecommunity,andhavepresentedslideshows abouttheirlawnconversiontogardenclubs,schools, homeownergroups,attheFNPSConferenceandatFNPS Chaptermeetings.
ThisresidenceinsuburbanKendallfeaturedlawn,exotic treesandahodge-podgeofthirstyornamentalplants.
Improvementgoalsincludedincreasingshade(particularly tothehouse/airconditioningunittoreduceenergyconsumption), increasingprivacy,andreductioninnoisepollution.
Over170nativespecieshavebeenplanted.“WhenI designedtheproject,itwasveryimportanttomethatit lookednaturalandactednaturally.Ultimately,thisproject involvedtryingtorestoresmallpatchesofnativevegetative communities,stockingthesecommunitieswiththeright speciesandinsufficientabundance,sothattheymightsustain thesepopulationswithminimalmanagement.Manyofthe introducednativespeciesarenowreproducing...itistruly alivinglandscape”saysdesignerWesBrooks.
Inpart,thisprojectwasatestofwhethersmalllandscapes insuburbanorurbancontextsareabletofunctionecologically (evenatareducedlevelfromwhatmightbeexpectedina naturallandscape)andwhethertheymightbeaneffective approachtocombatingbiodiversityloss.
Manydifferentspeciesofbutterflies,insects,reptiles, amphibians,birds,andmammalshavemanagedtousethis smalltractofsuburbanlandforshelter.
Thegoalsoftheprojecthavebeenmet,inspiteofspatial constraints.Tounderscorethispoint,thislandscapecontains morenativespeciesthanneighboring110-acreKendallIndian HammocksParkinapproximately0.1%ofthespace.
9 ResidentialCategory:AwardofMerit Project:BrooksRockland Kendall,Miami-DadeCountyFL
Designer/Installer/Maintainer:WesBrooks
Owner:AnamaryBrooks
TheSustainable Conference RayWunderlichIII,2008ConferenceChair
Manyofyoumayrememberlast year’swonderful,poignantkeynote addressbyJanisseRay.Hertalkchallengedus,astheFloridaNativePlant Society,tobemoreenvironmentally awareandproactiveinourmeasures, evenifthesedecisionssometimeslead toruffledfeathers.
Thisyearwehaveacceptedthe challengeJanissegaveus.The2008 conferenceimplementedseveralzero wasteideals.Ateacheventwehad recyclingbinsforglass,cans,plastic, andpaper.Luncheswereprovidedin brownpaperbagsinsteadofboxesor plasticcontainers,andutensilswere madeofcornorpotatobasedproducts. Mostconferenceregistrationwascompletedonline,significantlyreducing theamountofpapernecessary.
Fornextyear’sconference,wewill besendingoutemailnotificationofthe upcomingconferencescheduleandfield tripsratherthanourtraditionalmailing. Wewillstillusepostalmailforthose whorequestit,butthismethodwill significantlyreduceourfootprint.
Boxeswereplacedattheregistration tablesforreturningnamebadgessowe couldusethesleevesagainnextyear. Conferenceattendeebagswerenotfilled withbrochuresoradvertisingthatisoften simplythrownawaylater.TheSalvation ArmypickedupallextrafoodafterFriday andSaturdaynight’ssocialevents.
Wehopethesepro-activeideas willactastemplatesforfutureFNPS conferencesandthatmoreideasfor sustainabilityareadded.
While2008maynothavebeena completelyzerowasteconference,Ifeel stronglythattheseendeavorsareagood
startonadvancingourgoalsasaSociety. Ialsohopethateachofustookseveral oftheseideasbackhometouseinour chapter,homesandplacesofbusinessin ordertodecreaseourcarbonfootprint.
Ourgoalforthisyear’sconference wastosetahighstandardofexcellence inpresentingquality,scientificand innovativeinformationofabroadscope relatingtoFloridanativeplants.The
While2008maynothavebeen acompletelyzerowaste conference,Ifeelstronglythat theseendeavorsareagood startonadvancingourgoalsas aSociety.Ialsohopethateach ofustookseveralofthese ideasbackhometouseinour chapter,homesandplacesof businessinordertodecrease ourcarbonfootprint.
conferenceincludedtopicssuchas definingfertilizerordinances,legislative reportsincludingthefundingforthe FloridaForeverProgram,incentivizing alternativeenergysources,improved landscapeordinancesthatinclude mandatoryminimumpercentagesof nativeplants,learningaboutourestuaries, orchids,landscapedesign,research updates,environmentalactivism,our rivers,stormwaterponddesign,plant rescues,environmentalart,historical botanistsinFlorida,hownativeplants
savelivesduringnaturaldisastersand muchmore.
Wereachedadiversegroupofindividuals.Thisbroadapproachenabledus toaffectourhealthinamorepositive way,beingthatourhealthisaffectedby thequalityofourairandwater,andthe qualityofthelandscapeweinhabit.This inturnwillbringaboutahigherawarenessandconsecutivenesswiththenatural landscape.Atthe2006conference, RichardLouv,authorof LastChildIn TheWoods,spokeonthesubjectofhow today’schildrenareexperiencingwhat hetermsnaturedeficitdisorder.Our societyaswell,isbecomingmoredisconnectedwithnature.We,theFlorida NativePlantSociety,needtoreversethis trendandbecomeevenmoreconnected withnatureandsharethiswithasmany individuals,businesses,electedofficials, municipalitiesandgovernmentdecision makersaspossible.
TheSocietyisheadinginagreat direction.ThroughPastPresidentShirley Denton’sleadership,andournew,dynamic PresidentGeneKellyandExecutive DirectorKarinaVeaudry’sunending energy,theSocietycontinuestofurther ourmissionofpreservation,conservation,andrestoration,andrecognizethe changingpriorityofenvironmental issuescurrentintoday’sheadlines.Iam gladtoseeourSocietytakingapositive roleintheseendeavors,andIhope otherslikeJanisseRaycontinueto challengeussothatwemaybecome evenbetterstewardsofournativeplant communitiesandhavethestrengthand toolstocontinuetostrivetopreserve acrosssectionofthebiodiversity inFlorida.
TwoFNPSConservationGrants Awardedat2008Conference Eachyear,FNPSawardsgrantsforappliednativeplantconservationwork. On-the-groundnativeplantcommunityrestoration,acquisition,habitatand nativeplantbiodiversityenhancementprojectsareexamplesofthetypesof projectsthathavebeenawardedgrants.Theawardsassistsmallorganizations thatneedseedmoneytogetaprojectofftheground.Grantrecipientsneednotbe membersofFNPSbuttheymusthavealiaisonwitharecognizedFNPSChapter.
Thisyear’sConservationGrantswereawardedfortherestorationofan OrmandBeachMaritimeHammock,andfortheestablishmentofan experimentalhammockcommunityinSouthFlorida.
RestorationofanOrmondBeachMaritimeHammock–$2,500Grant SponsoredbythePawPawChapterofVolusiaCounty,thisproject initiatestherestorationofamaritimehammockinOrmondBeach.Thesite isjustunderoneacreinsizeandislocatedonthegroundsoftheUnitarian UniversalistSocietyofDaytonaBeach(UUSDB).Thehammocksitealso containsasmallwetland,andislocatedintheflywayforneotropical migratorybirdsthatmovethroughtheareaseasonally.
Restorationwillbeginwiththeremovalofinvasiveplantspecies,followed byreintroductionofnativespeciestothesite.Speciestobeplantedonthesite includewildolive,redcedar,marlberryandrougeplant.PawPawChapter memberswillworkcooperativelywiththeUUSDBtoinstallinterpretivesigns andconductguidedtoursofthesite,whichadjoinsanareawhereanative plantNationalWildlifeFederationSchoolyardHabitatiscurrentlybeing created,usingfundsfromanothersource.
EstablishinganExperimentalHammockCommunity inSouthFlorida–$2,500Grant
ThisprojectissponsoredbytheDadeChapterandwillbeconducted byWesBrooksaspartofresearchforaPh.D.inEcologyfromRutgers University.A4-acrerocklandhammockthatisownedbythecountyand isadjacenttothecounty’s110-acreKendallIndianHammocksParkhas beenheavilyinvadedbyexoticspecies.Exoticspecieswillberemoved, nativerocklandhammockspecieswillbeinstalled,andpermanentstudy plotswillbeestablishedandmonitoredmonthlytoassesstheresultsof varioustreatmentmethodstodetermineifsuchfactorsasspeciesrichness andplantdensityaffectrecruitmentandgrowthofinvasiveexoticspecies. Theprojectwillincludeafloristicsurvey,removalofnon-nativesfromthe permanentstudyplots,plantingofnativeshrubsandtreesaccordingto theexperimentalprotocols,continuingcontrolofexotics,andtheerection ofadisplayboardattheadjoiningpark.Thecountyhasalreadyissued apermittoallowtheresearchandwillassistintheeradicationandcontrol ofexoticspecies.
DennyGirard(MangroveChapter)givingapoetryreading attheFNPSGalaDinner.PhotobyJanAllyn.
FlowersUnderfoot ByDennyGirard . Aworldofrainbowcolorsgrow beneathourfeet,unseen bythosewhohurryby; aworldofbeautyinvisible toeyesthatdonotlook. Weseldomseethesetinyplants thatgrowinjaggedlawns andcarpetbermsalongtheway. Theysproutalongdustytrails andlivetopaintthesoggyswales.
Wemustlookdown toseetheselivinggreens withtheirpretty,pastelpetals thatsmilebackatthefewwhosee thegloryintheirartistry. Stilltheirbeautyspreadswide witheverycolorsincetimebegan, brighthuesseldomseenbyman. Butfirstwemustpause…Stop! Andlookatflowersunderfoot.
2008 Palmetto Awards GREENPALMETTO AWARD GreenPalmettoAwardsaregiven annuallytomemberswhohave providedoutstandingcontributions intheareasofService,Education, andScienceorTechnology.
RonPlakke,Ph.D. RonPlakkehasprovidedvision, leadershipandguidanceintherestoration ofroughly50acresoflandinLake County’sPEARParkintoscrubhabitat. Heconceivedtheproject,appliedfor grants,recruitedandtrainedvolunteers andmotivatedusallwithhisdedication, kindnessandteachingskills.Healsoput inmanyhoursasalaborer–planting, weeding,andwatering.
Anotherofhisconcepts,ascrub demonstrationgarden,hasalsobecome areality.Oneofeachtypeofplantin the50acresofscrubplantingsison displayinthedemonstrationgarden.
Ronhastaughtusaboutnative plants,wheretheythrive,andhowto makethemgrowandsurviveinthefield. HundredsofushavelearnedourFlorida scrub-habitatlessonsatPEARPark.
Ronalsoshareshistimeonthelocal lecturecircuit,asaspeakeratvarious community,gardenandenvironmental clubs.Histalksarehumorous,informative andlively.
CynthiaPlockelman CynthiaPlockelmanis4thgeneration Floridian.Shehaslovingchildhood memoriesofrunningthroughthesand pinescrubthatsurroundedherhome.
CynthiaisaFloridaNativePlant SocietyandPalmBeachChaptercharter memberandhasbeenintimatelyinvolved atthelocalandstatelevelsincetheir inception.ShehasheldvariousChapter offices,includingPresidentandVicePresident.Sheisatirelessmemberwho bringspositiveenergytoeachFNPSmeeting–sheisalwayssuretomakenew membersandvisitorsfeelwelcome.
Cynthiaregularlyprovidesplantsfrom heryardformonthlynativeplantteachings andcontinuallyvolunteersatlocaloutreachevents,distributingFNPSliterature andsharingherpersonalexperience.
OntheFNPSBoardofDirectors,
Cynthiahasheldthepositionof GovernmentalPolicyChairandfor manyyearsshewastheChapter RepresentativeforthePalmBeach Chapter.Shewasinstrumentalinthe creationoftheenvironmentalaction alertsysteminwhichmembersare notifiedbyemailwhenenvironmental issuesarisethatneedaresponse.
Cynthiaretiredafter40yearswiththe SouthFloridaWaterManagementDistrict, wheresheheldthepositionofTechnical ReferenceLibrarian.Sinceherretirement, shehasbecomearegularparticipantat themonthlyBoardmeetingsoftheSouth FloridaWaterManagementDistrict,Palm BeachCountyCommissionmeetingsand otherenvironmentalandlandusemeetingstoonumeroustomention.Herlove oftheenvironmentandadvocacyefforts havebeenfeltandappreciatedbyall.
ErickSmith Erickhasservedforseveralyearsas thePaynesPrairieChapterrepresentative wherehegatheredinformationaboutstate levelFNPSprojectsandcommunicated themeffectivelytotheChaptermembers. Erickattendsalmosteveryfieldtrip andcontributessignificantknowledgenot onlyforhisChapterbutalsoforevents like“RallyfortheRiver”andotheroutreachprojects.
Heisaninvolvedmemberthat helpedtowritetheFNPSnativeplant landscapeordinanceguidelines.
Erickhaspositiverelationships withotherenvironmentalorganizations, promotesanddefendstheuseofnative plantstothecitycommissionandpublic parksdivision,anddonatestimeand adviceonproperlandscapedesign.
Asanurbanforesterhesharesa wealthofknowledgeaboutnativetree biology,plantingandlandscapecare.He beganthepopularplantidentification workshopthatisopenbeforethePaynes PrairieChaptermeetingstoanyonewho wishestolearnidentificationtechniques withplantkeysandIDbooks.
ThoughtheChapterdoesnothave regularsummerprograms,heholds monthlyworkshopstokeepmembers interestedandtoprovidecontinuity.
Anotefromanewmembersays: “WhenIattendedtheannualconference lastyear,Ihadjustmovedtotheareaand didnotknowanyone.Erickwaswelcoming–heintroducedmetoothermembers andIsoonfeltIwasamongfriends.
CarmelVanHoek CarmelVanHoekisanativeFloridian andalongtimememberoftheSuncoast Chapterwhohasapassionforidentifying nativeplants.
Carmelisaself-taughtexpertinplant taxonomy.Shehaschallengedherselfto becomeanexpertonmanyoftheplant groupsthatevensomeprofessional botanistssteerclearof,namelygrasses andsedges.Sherealizedthattheseoften forgottenandoverlookedplantsarenot
onlyachallengetolearnbutareimportant componentsofthenaturalbiodiversity ofFlorida.
CarmelworkedwithSteveOrzell,the ecologistatAvonParkAirForceRange, whereshetookonaprojecttocollect voucherspecimensaspartofaneffortto cataloguethediversefloraofAvonPark. Shespentmanyweekendssearchingfor plantsthatneededvoucherspecimens anddocumentingplantsnotpreviously knowntooccur.
Overaperiodof7yearsshecollected atleast1,500sheetsofvoucherspecimens anddocumentedseveralhundredplants newtothefloraoftheinstallation. Withoutherassistanceanddedication, thefloraofAvonParkAirForceRange wouldnotbeoneofthelargestrecordings inpeninsularFlorida,withsome1,155 vascularplanttaxa.
OfparticularnoteisCarmel’sability torecognizeinterestingplantsandher self-taughtknowledgeontheidentification anddocumentationofthelocalflora. Hertirelesseffortsproducedsignificant contributionstothe“FloraofFlorida” projectattheUniversityofSouth Floridaherbarium.
Thereareseveralhundredidentified, labeled,andmountedspecimensnow depositedatUSFasapermanentrecord ofCarmel’sdedicationwhilevolunteering atAvonPark.Thesespecimensareof valueindocumentingthefloraofFlorida, andtheyareavailableforallresearchers
andnativeplantenthusiaststostudy.
Carmelhasbeeninstrumentalin contributingtowardsthedevelopment ofplantlistsforstate-ownedpreserves includingBigPineTract,ChinsegutWEA andHillsboroughStatePark.Shehas madeseveralplantfindsthatwere worthyofscientificpublication.
ThenativeplantsofFloridaarebetter understoodasaresultofCarmel’sefforts overmanyyearsofdedicatedservice.
Dr.WalterTaylornotesthat,“likea goodeducator,Carmelreadilypassesher informationandknowledgeontoothers therebyenrichingtheirlives”.
GREENPALMETTO CHAPTERAWARD TheGreenPalmettoChapter AwardisgiventoaChapterthat hasmadeoutstandingcontributions totheFNPSmission.
TarflowerChapter TheTarflowerChapterhasendeavored toproduceoutstandingtopicsfortheir monthlymeetingssuchas“Butterflies andTheirHostPlants”byMarcMinno; “FloridaWildflowers”byTracy McCommon;“PrescribedFires”by ZachPrusakoftheNatureConservancy; “AlwaysLearning:GettingtheMostfrom YourFieldTrip”byPaulEisenbrown;and “Asclepias”byDr.WalterTaylor.
Withagoodplanforpublicityin place,eachTarflowerChaptermeeting drawsnearlyonehundredattendees.A wellorganizedgreetingsystemforvisitors isinplacetorecruitnewmembers.
Meetingsfeatureadisplayof12to 15plantsandaportionofthemeeting isdedicatedtodescribingtheplantsand theircultureindetail.
ChapterPresidentCatherineReadStoccardohelpedfurthercommunication amongTarflowerChaptermembers andallowedmembers’strengthstobe broughtforward,therebyincreasing theChapter’seffectiveness.
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GreenPalmettoAwardWinnerCarmelVanHoek
TheTarflowerChapterboardhas beenaverycohesivegroupofdedicated individualsworkingunselfishlytodevelop newideasandimplementthem.Chapter membersarededicatedandconsistently provideoutreachtothecommunityand supportforeachother.
InNovember2007,theChapter assembledapanelofexpertsonwater usageinFloridaandthegrowingneed forconservationandregulationwhile highlightingtheimportanceoflandscaping withnativeplants.Nearly200people attendedthisoutstandingevent.The programwasrecordedbyOrangeTVand airedrepeatedlytotheCentralFlorida viewingcommunitythroughouttheyear.
Toincreasepublicawarenessof nativeplants,theirecosystems,and theirapplications,TarflowerChapter membershostinformationboothsat manylocalpublicevents.Chapter volunteersalsodistributeprintednative plantinformation,answerquestions, andleadhikesthroughlocalhabitats.
TheTarflowerChapterhasawell organizedplantrescuecrewthatmade numerousplantsavesatlocationsslated fordevelopment.
Therescuesitesincludedmultiple ecosystemsfromwetlandsandpine flatwoodsattheOrlandoInternational Airport,todryuplandclayhillandsandhillfromVolusia,OrangeandOsceola Counties.Wetlandplantsrescuedhave beensharedwithactiverestoration projectsattheCentralFloridaZooand LangfordPark,andtheuplandplantswill beusedintherestorationoftheOakland NaturePreserveandUniversityofCentral Floridanaturallandsarea.
Numerousendangeredplantssuch as Nolinabrittoniana and Eriogonum longifolium weregiventoBokSanctuary fortheirEndangeredPlantresearch,while hundredsof Liatris, Garberia,Calamintha, and Helianthemumcorymbosum wentinto restorationprojectsandmember’syards.
Thechapterisperfectinganew rescuetechniquefor Asimina, whichhas resistedtransplantationtodate.Plant RescuechairsJackieRollyandMarge Holthavebeeninstrumentalinthe
challengingjobofrescuingplantsas wellaslocatingtransplantsites.
ThroughtheeffortsoftheTarflower Chapter,knowledgeaboutnativeplants, associatedhabitatsandtheimportance ofconservationhasmadeanimpact inthecommunity.
SILVERPALMETTO AWARD TheSilverPalmettoAwardisgiven bythePresidenttoanymember (includingFNPSBoardandExecutive Committeemembers)whomakes asignificantcontributionto thefunctioningofFNPS.
BobEgolf AsPastPresident,BobEgolfhasspent thepasttwoyearsstronglysupporting theofficersofFNPS.AsPresident(20042006),hesupportedstrategicplanning andhelpedusinitiateanadvocacyprogram.Bobwillinglytookonallchallenges thatcamehiswayandspentcountless hoursdoingtasksthatwerenecessarybut nothighlyvisibletomostmembers.He wasalsoaverystrongadvisorandprovidedsupporttomeduringmytermas President.HiscontributiontoFNPSover thepastfouryearshasbeenenormous.
CindyLiberton CindyLibertonhasbeenthechairof theCommunicationsCommitteeformore yearsthanshewantstocount.Inthis role,shehassupportedandgrownour internalandexternalcommunications andhasfosteredpeoplewithallsorts ofskills,fromartistictoorganizational. Cindyalsohasmadeherselfavailableto theofficersofFNPSasatremendously supportiveresourceandhasprovided ongoingadvicethathasmadeFNPS strongerasanorganization.
KimZarillo KimZarillowasaverystrongPresident (servingfrom2002to2004).ShecontinuouslysteeredtheSocietytowardits scientificroots.SheencouragedcooperationamongSocietyleaderswithatactand gracethatwouldbehardtosurpass.In thepasttwoyears,shetookonmentoring ofcommitteechairs.Inparticular,Kim mentoredthePolicyCommittee,acting asCo-Chair.ThePolicyCommitteehas growntoamulti-persongroupwhose membersareeffectiveatguidingFNPS tohaveavoiceinissuesthataffectour mission,whilestayingstronglytiedto ourscientificgoals.
Eachofthesepeopleisworthyof highpraiseandthanks,andeachstrongly deservestheSilverPalmettoAward.
–PastPresident,ShirleyDenton
SilverPalmettoAwardWinnerBobEgolf
SilverPalmettoAwardWinnerCindyLiberton
Conference2008–HighlightsandPartingShots BillBilodeau,ShirleyDentonandCathyQuindiagan enjoytheconferencefestivities.PhotobyJanAllyn.
MaryEchols(NaplesChapter)creatingenvironmentalart inthe“GreenArt”Workshop.PhotobyPegLindsay.
MusiciansinthecourtyardoftheSouthFloridaMuseum. PhotobyJoanBausch.
The2008FNPSConferenceCommittee:Kneelinginfront(lefttoright):NancyWest,KarenFraley,CathyQuindiagan. Standing(lefttoright):AlSquires,BobEgolf,JohnHolyland,DebbieChayet,MarthaHorton,ChristineHolyland,Harriett Wright,LisaCurry,DennyGirard,TomHeitzman,RayWunderlich,MaryMiller,BillBillodeau.PhotobyJanAllyn.
ConferenceHighlights byLindaJ.Wilson
Thisyear’sconferencewasvery interesting.OurChapterwasoneofthe co-hosts,somostofmytimewasspent volunteering–atthechapterboothwhich offeredshirts,stationery,photographs, andDVDsforsale,andatthesilent auction,whichwasahugesuccess.
Ienjoyedvisitingtheplantandbook sales,andtherewerealsomanyvendor andinformationalboothstosee.
ThesocialonFridaynightwasheld attheSouthFloridaMuseum,wherewere treatedtoaprivatetour.WesawSnooty themanatee,whohaslivedatthe Museum’sParkerAquariumformany years.HowwonderfultowatchSnooty andhisthreewater-matesupcloseasthey munchedonlettuce,snoozedandswam.
TheGaladinnerattheManatee ConventionCenterhadgreatfoodand livemusic,andtheawardsprogram inspiredmetoapplyforthehome landscapeawardsnextyear.
Inbetweenvolunteering,Iwasable toattendsomeofthepresentations. Programsofinteresttomeincluded DragonfliesandButterfliesinPineFlatwoods, AncientNativeAmericansinFlorida,Native PlantMaintenance,and ClimateChange anditsEffects.Afascinatingprogramcalled TheCaseoftheCannibalCypress lookedat cypressrootloops.Loopedcypressknees havebeenobservedwrappingthemselves aroundoldstumpsandpossiblygetting nutrientsfromthisaction.Otherprograms included IsBiggerReallyBetter? which comparedhowplantingdifferentsized pottedplantseffectedtheirlongterm growthsuccess; RecoveryDevelopmentsof theEndangeredZiziphus,WildFlowerSeed Production,and Grass,SedgeandRush Identification roundedoutmyprogram choicesattheconference.
The2008conferencewasagreat opportunityforlearningandalsofor meetingnewfriends.
ChamberensembleserenadingguestsattheGalaDinner. PhotobyJanAllyn.
Forchaptercontactinformation,pleasevisit http://www.fnps.org/pages/chapters/chaptermap.php
1.Citrus ..............................JimBierly........................................................................jbierly@tampabay.rr.com
2.Coccoloba ......................DickWorkman................................................................wworkmandick@aol.com
3.Cocoplum .......................SherryFriend...............................................................................blighia@aol.com
4.Conradina .......................ReneeShaffer.................................................................shaffer_m@bellsouth.net
5.Coontie ...........................KirkScott...............................................................................kirkel1@yahoo.com
6.Dade ...............................LynkaWoodbury....................................................lwoodbury@fairchildgarden.org
7.Eugenia ..........................SueThompson.............................................................susandjesse@bellsouth.net
8.Heartland .......................AmeeBailey..............................................................ameebailey@polk-county.net
9.Hernando ........................JimClayton......................................................................geoska10@hotmail.com
10.Ixia .................................JakeIngram................................................................jakeingramla@comcast.net
11.LakeBeautyberry ..........PegLindsay..............................................................pegcondor@embarqmail.com
12.LakelasMint ..................RoyceSisson.................................................................roycesisson@hotmail.com
13.LiveOak .........................HalRhodes................................................................rhodeslesstrav2@yahoo.com
14.LongleafPine .................AmyHines.................................................................amy@sidestreamsports.com CherylJones......................................................................wjonesmd@yahoo.com 15.Lyonia ..............................DavidSchroeder..................................................evolvinglandscapes@yahoo.com 16.Magnolia ........................AnnRedmond............................................................aredmond@mindspring.com 17.Mangrove .......................John&ChristineHolyland.....................................christineholyland@comcast.net 18.Marion ............................RobinCaple....................................................................robincaple@comcast.net 19.Naples ............................RonEchols...................................................................preservecaptains@aol.com 20.NatureCoast ..................SusanVaughn..........................................................................vaughn_s@firn.edu 21.PalmBeach ....................RayMiller................................................................................rmillerj@sfwmd.gov 22.Pawpaw .........................PaulRebmann..................................................................wildflpaul@earthlink.net 23.PaynesPrairie ................HeatherBlake................................................................butterflygirlh@yahoo.com 24.PineLily .........................ChristinaUranowski..............................................................curanowski@aol.com 25.Pinellas ..........................DebbieChayet........................................................................dchayet@verizon.net 26.Sarracenia ......................LeeNorris.................................................................................lnorris@ectinc.com 27.SeaOats .........................CindyMaguire.....................................................................Maguire122@aol.com 28.SeaRocket ....................PaulSchmalzer...........................................................paul.a.schmalzer@nasa.gov 29.Serenoa ..........................DaveFeagles..........................................................................feaglesd@msn.com 30.SouthRidge ...................KarinaVeaudry............................................................executivedirector@fnps.org 31.Sumter ............................AnneM.Lambrecht.............................................................annel@thevillages.net 32.Suncoast .......................JamesWheeler............................................................jamesh-wheeler@msn.com 33.SweetBay .....................RobertSilverio.................................................................bonsaibob@comcast.net 34.Tarflower ........................RickEhle.................................................................................ehle07@yahoo.com
TheFloridaNativePlantSociety POBox278 MelbourneFL32902-0278
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