Florida Native Plant Society Narrative
Created by Shirley Denton and Karina Veaudry
DATE
Revised by Steven W. Woodmansee and Karina Veaudry
January 25, 2009
The Florida Native Plant Society, Inc
Post Office Box 278, Melbourne, FL 32902
Tel (407) 862-8172 Fax (815) 642-9224
Mission Statement: The purpose of the Florida Native Plant Society is to promote the
preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant
communities of Florida.
Synopsis
Since 1980, the not-for-profit Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), has been
pursuing the mission of promoting the preservation, conservation, and
restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. FNPS
has been effective in providing wide-spread education and outreach programs,
conservation grants, research grants, publications, legislative input and policy
statements. In addition to the general public, FNPS has been a resource for city
and county planners, landscape architects, land managers, teachers, ecologists
and biologists.
Organization Structure
General membership consists of over 3000 individuals, businesses and other
corporations). An annual membership meeting is held at the Florida Native
Plant Society Conference.
In addition, FNPS is partitioned into individual chapters. Currently there are 37
chapters (Table 1) throughout the state representing every county or region.
Chapters are responsible for their own organization and activities which must by
in accordance with FNPS bylaws and guidelines. Monthly meetings are held for
each chapter, and are governed by each chapter’s board or representatives.
The FNPS Board of Directors consists of a representative from each chapter
(appointed by the chapter’s board of directors), an additional six board of
directors at large, and an executive committee consisting of five officers
including President, Vice President for Administration, Vice President for
Finance, Treasurer, Secretary, and Past President (selected by the nominating
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committee appointed by the previous president), and Committee Chairs (chosen
by the president and appointed by the BOD). Committees include: Finance,
Membership, Education, Conservation, Science, Conference, Publications, Policy
& Legislation, Communications, and Landscape Awards. Membership Business
meetings are held annually at the Florida Native Plant Society Conference. Board
meetings are held a minimum of four times per year. Executive Committee
meetings are held an additional four times per year.
FNPS also contracts services for its Executive Director who is responsible for
assisting with the mission of the Society. Contract Services are also paid for the
editing and publishing of the FNPS periodical The Palmetto and membership
coordination. A small amount of funds are used for contracting a lobbyist to
help promote native plant conservation statewide.
Past and Ongoing Programs
 FNPS publishes and maintains a website www.fnps.org. This website is a
resource for both FNPS members, FNPS leadership, and the general
public. A few of the resources include:
o A list of native plants for each county.
o Contact information of FNPS leadership.
o Information on where to get native plants
o Action alerts on issues important to native plant conservation.
o Online publications including articles, children’s activities, and
versions of the FNPS newsletter Sabal minor.

The FNPS quarterly periodical, The Palmetto is one of the premiere
publications in Florida highlighting native plants, research and the
complexities of native plant communities.

The FNPS bimonthly newsletter, the Sabal Minor provides educational
articles on native plants, and details events and activities by FNPS
chapters.

In addition to its periodical and newsletter, FNPS has published several
books supporting its goals. Books published and copyrighted include:
Common Grasses of Florida and the Southeast
Butterfly Gardening with Florida Native Plants
Big Trees, the Florida Register
Florida’s Incredible Wild Edibles
Planning and Planting a Native Plant Yard
FNPS Model Landscape Ordinance Guidelines
FNPS Youth Coloring Book

FNPS and its chapters host annual conferences which are held in different
parts of the state from year to year. The consistent quality of our
conferences gains broad attention around the State, always has diverse
program and is one of the most accomplished conservation symposiums
in the state. On occasion, FNPS has and plans to hold joint conferences
with other likeminded organizations. Grants and Awards are announced
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at each conference. Conferences are planned and scheduled through the
year 2011. For a list of all past and planned conference please refer to
Appendix A at the end of this document.

FNPS issues monetary grants and awards on an annual basis.
o Conservation grants currently up to $2500.00 are awarded to
individuals or institutions whose projects are in line with the
conservation goals of FNPS. Up to three applicants are awarded
given each year. Applicants needn’t be FNPS members.
o Research grants currently valued up to $2500.00 are awarded to
individuals or institutions whose projects promote native plant
research.
Up to three applicants are awarded each year.
Applicants needn’t be FNPS members.
o Landscape Awards are given to individuals, institutions, and
landscapers for those yards, gardens, and businesses which best
use native plants in the landscape. Applicants needn’t be FNPS
members.

FNPS issues monetary grants to individual chapters, up to $750.00 for
projects that promote the mission of the Society. Types of grants have
been given for the publication of education materials, displays, garden
landscapes, and restoration projects.

FNPS has issued significant grants to research institutions including The
University of South Florida’s Institute for Systematic Botany and The
Institute for Regional Conservation.

FNPS members are representatives on a large number of important
advisory panels and committees, including the Florida Forever Coalition,
the Endangered Plant Advisory Council, the Everglades Coalition, EastCentral Florida’s Natural Resources Sounding Board, the Century
Commission’s Water Congress, Brevard County’s Landscaping, Land
Clearing and Tree Protection Task Force, and many others.

FNPS’s membership’s enthusiastic and well-coordinated advocacy played
a prominent role in the Florida Legislature’s decision to extend the
Florida Forever land conservation program and other key issues.

Bioenergy, Water, Restoration and Transportation policies have guided of
decision makers.

The completion of the FNPS Model Landscape Ordinance Guidelines has
assisted many Florida municipalities to create ordinances that are
preservation, native plant and sustainable oriented.

FNPS recently created the Land Management Partners for Public Lands
Conservation subcommittee. FNPS members volunteer their time to
provide expert opinion, and assist on the review teams who monitor
conservation lands.
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Planned Future Programs
The FNPS Strategic Plan outlines the details of goals and tasks for the next
several years. A few examples of goals included in the outline are:
 Create a Chapter Liaison position to assist developing or dwindling
chapters.

Further marketing to promote FNPS organization and create more public
awareness of FNPS and its mission.

Create Public Service Announcements for radio broadcasts.

Foster the Creation of a coalition of aligned organizations to achieve
greater protection for endangered plants; lobby the Florida legislature to
achieve the same status and protections for endangered plants as for
endangered animals.

Form a land acquisition process program for County governments who do
not currently have a land acquisition program for conservation.

Provide expert guidance to government agencies, and various private
organizations regarding the conservation of native plants and native plant
communities.

Support the extension of tax relief for private landowners who preserve
and manage environmentally sensitive lands.

Promote measures that will produce more effective control of invasive
plants and proactively prevent the introduction of potentially invasive
plants and plant pests.

Develop and promote a cohesive position on the cultivation of plant
materials as a source of biofuels that will not conflict with the FNPS
mission, and promote statutory measures that support the FNPS position.

Create an educational video highlighting the importance of native plants.
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Table 1. FNPS Chapters January 2009
Chapter
County Representation
Broward
Citrus
Cocoloba
Cocoplum
Broward
Citrus, Levy (south)
Hendry, Lee, Glades (south)
Martin
Conradina
Dade
Eugenia
Heartland
Hernando
Ixia
Lake
Beautyberry
Lakelas Mint
Live Oak
Longleaf Pine
Lyonia
Magnolia
Brevard (South)
Dade, Monroe (Keys)
Indian River
Polk
Hernando
Clay, Duval, Nassau, St. Johns
Mangrove
Marion
Naples
Nature Coast
Palm Beach
Pawpaw
PaynesPrairie
Pine Lily
Pinellas
Sarracenia
Sea Rocket
Serenoa
South Ridge
Sumter
Suncoast
Sweetbay
Tarflower
Lake
St. Lucie, Okeechobee (east)
Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes
Escambia, Santa Rosa
Volusia (West)
Leon, Gadsden, Jefferson, Madison, Taylor, Hamilton
Charlotte, Sarasota PART (Englewood, North Port,
Venice)
Marion
Collier, Monroe (Mainland)
Pasco
Palm Beach
Flagler, Volusia (east)
Alachua, Bradford, Union, Baker, Columbia,
Suwannee, Gilchrist, Dixie, Levy (north), Putnam,
Lafayette
Osceola
Pinellas
Wakulla, Franklin, Liberty
Brevard (north & central)
Sarasota (PART), Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto
Highlands, Okeechobee (west), Glades (north)
Sumter
Hillsborough
Bay, Jackson, Washington, Calhoun, Gulf
Orange, Seminole
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Appendix A. FNPS Annual Conference Locations
1981
Winter Park – Rollins College
Hosted by FNPS
1982
Gainesville – UF Campus
Hosted by FNPS
1983
Naples – The Conservancy
Hosted by the Naples Chapter
1984
Boca Raton – FAU Campus
Hosted by the Palm Beach Chapter
1985
Winter Park – Rollins College Campus
Hosted by the Tarflower Chapter
1986
Tampa – USF Campus
Hosted by the Suncoast Chapter
1987
Lakeland – FSC Campus
Hosted by the Heartland Chapter
1988
Gainesville – UF Campus
Hosted by the Paynes Prairie Chapter
1989
Fort Myers – ECC Campus
Hosted by the Coccoloba Chapter
1990
Miami – FIU Campus – 10th Ann. Conf.
Hosted by the Dade Chapter
1991
Orlando – Holiday Inn, UCF Area
Hosted by the Tarflower Chapter
1992
St. Pete Beach – Dolphin Inn
Hosted by the Pinellas Chapter
1993
Haines City – Grenelefe Resort
Hosted by the Heartland Chapter
1994
Cocoa Beach – Holiday Inn
Hosted by the Conradina and Sea Rocket Chapters
April 29-May 1 “Unifying People with the Landscape”
Social at BBQ at Lori Wilson Park on the Beach.
Keynotes: Dr. Hillary Swain “Now That We’ve Bought It, What Do We Do With
it?” on Environmentally Endangered Lands Program
Dr. William Hammond “Getting Wild and Managing to Stay Wild”
1995
Tallahassee – Ramada Inn – 15th Ann. Conf.
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Hosted by the Magnolia Chapter
1996
Sarasota - New College
Hosted by Serenoa Chapter. Social at Selby Gardens.
May 30 “Where the Sea Grapes Meet the Cedars: Plants on the Edge”
Keynotes: “Dr. Richard Wunderlin on Central Florida’s Flora and Its Origin”
& Gary Nabhan “The Forgotten Pollinators”
1997
Gainesville – Radisson Hotel
Hosted by Paynes Prairie Chapter
May 15-18 “Healing the Landscape: Restoring Florida’s Ecological Balance”
Social at Kanapaha Botanical Gardens
Keynotes: Roger Hammer “Recreating Florida’s Good Ole Days: Does
Ecological Restoration Imply a Return to the Past or is it a New vision for the
Future of Florida’s Natural Areas?”
Sally and Andy Wasowski “Creating Native Habitat Gardens”
1998
Palm Beach Gardens - Palm Beach Gardens Marriott
Hosted by the Palm Beach Chapter
June 3-7 “Florida’s Garden of Good and Evil”
A joint Symposium with the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council
Social at Jupiter Beach Civic Center
Keynote: Clyde Butcher “Florida’s Biological Landscape”
Dan Austin “Displacement of Native Ecosystems by Invasive Alien Plants: The
Florida Experience”
1999
Palm Coast, Flagler County - Palm Coast Resort
Hosted by FNPS
May 6-9 “Gardening In Harmony”
Keynote: Brett Rappaport “Avoid Running Afoul of Local Weed Laws!”
Sara Stein “Restoring the Ecology of our Own Back Yards”
2000
Miami - Radisson Mart Plaza Hotel – 20th Anniversary Conference
Hosted by the Dade Chapter
May 4-7 “Living with nature in the 21st Century”
Social at Fairchild Tropical garden
Keynotes: Francis “Jack” Putz “The Homogeocene: Questions About the Past
and Concerns About the Future”
Terrence “Rock” Salt “The Everglades restoration: Maintaining the Momentum”
Georgia Tasker “What Tree in the Right Place?”
Nathaniel P. Reed “Exotics: A Way of Life or---?”
2001 Tarpon Springs, Palm Harbor - Westin Innisbrook Resort
Hosted by the Pinellas Chapter
May 10-13 “Biodiversity and Development: Striking a Balance”
Social at Heritage House, Tarpon Springs.
Keynotes: Andy Wasowski “Building Inside Nature’s Envelope”
Stuart L. Pimm, Ph.D. “Life on Earth: Does It Have a Future?” His book is
The World According to Pimm: A Scientist Audits the Earth c. 2001
2002
Tallahassee - Ramada Inn North
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Hosted by the Magnolia Chapter
Social: Country BBQ on grounds of Tall Timbers Research Station
March 21-24 “Native Plants in Native Places: Botanical Treasures Off the
Garden Path”
Keynotes: Gil Nelson, Ph.D. “Natural Gardens of the Florida big Bend: An
Orientation to Your Four Days in Paradise”
Loran Anderson, Ph.D. “Carnivorous Plants of the Florida Big Bend”
2003
Fort Myers - Holiday Inn Select
Hosted by the Cocoloba Chapter
May 8-11 “Symbiosis: The Power of Partnerships”
Keynotes: Mike Duever, Ph.D. “South Florida Plant Communities: past, present,
and future”
Doug Jones, Ph.D. “Butterfly Migration and Biomagnetism”
Elfren Cazares Ph.D. “The Importance of Micorrhizae to Plant and Habitat
Restoration”
2004
Orlando - Hotel Royal Plaza
Hosted by the Tarflower Chapter
May 13-16 “Protecting Florida’s Future with Native Landscapes”
Keynotes: David Price, Horticulturist at Bok Tower “Creating a Sanctuary:
Olmstead Inspired by Nature”
Colleen Castille, Secretary of DEP “Update on environmental regulatory and law
enforcement programs and land acquisition under Gov. Bush”
Kathy Burks “Invasive Exotic Plants: An Update”
2005
Brevard County – Hilton Melbourne Rialto Place, 25th Anniversary
25 Years of Preservation, Progress and Promise
Hosted by Conradina, Eugenia & Searocket Chapters
2006
Daytona Beach Shores – The Shores Resort & Spa
May 18-21 Hosted by the Paw Paw and Lyonia Chapters
2007
Gainesville – Gainesville Hilton
Hosted by the Paynes Prairie Chapter
2008
Palmetto – Manatee Civic Center; May 14-18
Estuaries to Uplands: Preserving our Native Plant Heritage
Hosted by the Mangrove, Pinellas, Serenoa & Suncoast Chapters
2009
Palm Beach – West Palm Beach Marriott May 21-24
Wake Up and Plant the Natives!
Hosted by the Palm Beach and Martin County Chapters
Dan Austin, Doug Tallamy, Hal Wanless
2010
Magnolia – 30th Anniversary
2011
Tarflower / Lake Beautyberry / PInelily
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