Upcoming Chapter Events - Please Scroll Down As These Are Not In Chronological Order

Friday, June 27 at 8:30 to 10:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Dr. Bill Dunson on a guided nature walk at Manasota Scrub Preserve/East.  Meet in the parking lot just a few yards from Manasota Beach Rd (2695 Bridge Street, Englewood).  Walk a 1.5-mile loop through mesic pine flatwoods and see two wetlands. We will do a mini clinic on wetland types and plant classification by degree of specialization for wetland life.  The five fold way! This event is free, and all are welcome. Please bring water, sunscreen and bug spray as the weather is expected to be hot and the insects active. For additional information email mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Friday, May 30, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and member Dr. Mary Davis for a walk at Pinebrook Park, 1251 Pinebrook Road, Venice.    We will talk about longleaf pine and forest management in a city as we learn more about plant taxonomy and physiology.   Meet at the far end of the entrance road. This event is free, and all are welcome to participate. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Tuesday, May, 13, 1:00PM.  The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society invites you to join us as we welcome guest speaker Jono Miller, author of The Palmetto Book: Histories and Mysteries of the Cabbage Palm, at Lemon Bay Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood.  Miller received his undergraduate in Environmental Studies at New College of Florida, where he would go onto to be the director of the program. Since retired, he has continued to be a natural historian, activist and environmental educator. While at the meeting, please consider becoming a part of our campaign to educate and influence our neighbors and landscapers to follow prudent pruning protocol for our beautiful Florida native “trees.” BYOP social at 12:15pm. This event is free and open to the public for more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Monday, May 12, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension Service member, Dr. Mary Davis, for a guided nature walk at Shamrock Park and Nature Center, 3900 Shamrock Dr., Venice.  Learn more about our amazing and unique Florida ecosystems, Florida Scrub Jays, and the history of the Intracoastal Waterway.  Meet at the Nature Center. This event is free, and all are welcome to participate. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Tuesday, April 22, 10-11:30+ AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, and members Charlie and Jane Woodruff as they lead a guided nature walk at Manasota Scrub Preserve, 2695 Bridge St, Englewood.  Learn more about the native birds and plants that inhabit this preserve.  Meet at the parking area/entrance on Bridge St., corner of Manasota Beach Rd. for a 1.5 to 2-hour long walk.  Pack a lunch if you wish to chat with others after the walk as picnic facilities are nearby, and remember to bring water, a hat, and sunscreen.  This event is free, and all are welcome to participate. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Tuesday, April 29, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, and UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension Service, as member Dr. Mary Davis leads a guided nature walk at the Sleeping Turtle Preserve South, 2800 State Route 777, Venice.  Learn more about our amazing and unique Florida ecosystems as we explore the mosaic of plant communities that occur along and help protect the Myakka River.  Meet at the preserve kiosk.  NOTE:  Check for a change of location in case this park is still closed at this date.  This event is free, and all are welcome to participate.  For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Friday, April 18, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and member Dr. Mary Davis for a walk at the Oscar Scherer State Park, 1843 S. Tamiami Trail, Osprey.  Mary will tell us about the endemic Florida Scrub Jay and managing for its habitat.  Meet at the Nature Center at the end of the road. This event is free, and all are welcome to participate. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.  *Note: There is a park entrance fee of $5 per vehicle.  

Tuesday, April 8, 1:00PM.  The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society invites you to join us as we welcome guest speaker Bren Curtis, president of the Peace River Audubon Society, at Lemon Bay Environmental Center, 570 Bary Park Blvd., Englewood.   Curtis will speak about the society’s bird and butterfly sanctuary certification program. Learn what it takes for your property to be recognized for “providing food, nectar, shelter and a water source for birds, bees, insects and other wildlife.” Of course, natives are a piece of the puzzle! BYOP social at 12:15pm. This event is free and open to the public for more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

Thursday, March 13 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and member Dr. Bill Dunson for a nature walk on Thursday March 13, 2025, from 9-11 am at Middle Beach/Blind Pass Beach Park on Manasota Key; (6725 Manasota Key Rd, Englewood, FL 34223).  The northern access has been destroyed by hurricane Milton as shown, so drivers must enter from the southern end of Manasota Key across the Adams Bridge (near McDonalds on 776).    
 
We will meet at 9 am in the rear of the eastern parking area adjacent to the picnic pavilion.  We will walk on firm sandy and grassy trails for about one mile identifying plants and any animals seen.  We will especially be interested in habitat ecology of the eastern area of the peninsula that was formed by dredge spoil from the ICW deposited there in the late 1960's.    We will compare the aerial photo taken in 1969 with current vegetation and evaluate the possible impacts of the storm surge from hurricane Milton on Oct. 9, 2024.  The hike will be entirely on the eastern side of the park behind the beach, but you are welcome to go to the beach afterward if you wish.  

This event is free, and all are welcome to participate.  For more information, contact  contact Bill Dunson (wdunson@comcast.net)

Friday, March 21, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and member Dr. Mary Davis for a walk at the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve, 1800 Mabry Carlton Pkwy, Venice. Mary will tell us about how managing local ecosystems helps protect the Myakka River, a water supply source. Meet at the first parking lot on the right.