Mangrove Chapter, Florida Native Plant Society

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Mangrove Chapter Walk - Apr 12 - Sleeping Turtles Preserve North

Friday April 12, 9:00-11:00 AM. Join the UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension Service and Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society as member Dr. Mary Davis leads a walk at the Sleeping Turtles Preserve North, 3462 Border Road, Venice. The walk will take you into the riparian forest of the Wild and Scenic Myakka River.  Join us to learn about protection of the river’s watershed and how the river interacts with the surrounding palm and oak hammocks.

SPECIAL EVENT - Mar 28 - Brooker Creek Preserve - Signup Now!

Thursday March 28, 10:30 AM. Don’t miss this tour at Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Rd, Tarpon Springs, FL. Brooker Creek offers a variety of trails including upland trails meandering through oak hammocks and pine flatwoods as well as boardwalks winding through forested wetlands. Our guides will be members of the Friends of Brooker Creek, who will choose the most interesting paths for the conditions. Mangrove Chapter will make a donation to the organization.

Because of the nature of the tour, attendance is limited to just 20 people, so reserve your spot now at mangrovechapter@fnps.org . You will receive a confirmation within 24 hours. The drive is a bit over two hours and carpooling will be available.

Mangrove Chapter Walk - Mar 8 - Myakka River State Park

On March 8, 2024, at 9-11 am, Bill Dunson will lead a nature walk at Myakka River State Park, located at 13208 State Road 72 (Clark Rd). Turn north at entry and continue on N Park Dr past Upper Myakka Lake to the turn for High Fox Rd, just before Clay Gully Creek and the N gate for the park. Park there for a loop walk of about 1.5 miles along uneven trails. We will examine the plants of woodlands, grasslands, palmetto plains and riparian corridors. Special attention will be paid to likely changes in ground water and runoff the past 100 years which have radically changed the ecology of palmettos more than diminished fire frequency. No reservations necessary. This is a state park with entrance fee ($6 per vehicle).

Mangrove Chapter - Mar 9 - 21st Annual Plant Native Day Sale

Saturday, March 9, 9 AM-Noon The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society invites you to join them for their 21st Annual Plant Native Day at Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood. Hundreds of native plants will be available for purchase including plants from the Florida Native Plant Nursery.  Laurel Schiller, co-owner of the nursery, will give a talk titled, “Plant for Them- Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Beneficial Bugs.”  A pollinator garden tour will be offered as well as a tour of the pine flatwoods.  All are welcome.  This a great opportunity to restore your garden to its original Florida state - native!  Contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.
 9:00 AM - Native Plant Sale begins
 9:15 AM - Pollinator Garden Tour
10:00 AM - Talk: Plant for Them-Birds, Bees, Butterflies and Beneficial Bugs
10:00 AM - Walking Tour of the Pine Flatwoods
12:00 PM - PND Sale Ends

Mangrove Chapter Meeting - Mar 12 - The Story of the Atala & Coontie

Tuesday March 12, 1:00 PM. The chapter meeting will feature “The Story of the Atala & Coontie: A Florida-Friendly Landscaping Success Story” by Forest Hecker, Community Educator at the Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, UF/IFAS Extension, Sarasota County. The presentation will explain how the coontie plant was nearly eradicated and how its return has enabled the Atala butterfly to return from the brink of extinction. BYOPicnic social at 12:15 PM.

Mangrove Chapter Walk - Mar 14 - Lemon Bay Park

Thursday March 14, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the UF/IFAS Sarasota Extension Service and Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society as member Dr. Mary Davis for a walk at the Lemon Bay Park and Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood.  Join us to learn more about our amazing and unique Florida ecosystems as we explore the transition from coastal mangroves to upland scrub.

Mangrove Chapter Walk - Mar 15 - Amberjack Environmental Park

Friday March 15, 2024, 9:00-11:00 AM Join Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the FL Native Plant Society for a nature walk at Amberjack Environmental Park, 6450 Gasparilla Pines Blvd. This is a 225-acre preserve made up of oak scrub, scrubby pine flatwoods, and fresh and tidal marshes. We will walk an approximately 1.5 mile loop on loose sandy soils looking for interesting plants and animals characteristic of different habitats. We will especially be searching for the rare ancient rosemary bush, wetland obligates, lupines and other flowers in bloom. Meet in the parking lot. Members and non-members are welcome.

Mangrove Chapter Walk - Mar 23 - Carlton Reserve

March 23 from 9:30 - 11:00am Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and member Mary Davis from 9:30 to 11 a.m. March 23 for a guided nature walk at the T. Mabry Carlton Jr. Memorial Reserve (1800 Mabry Carlton Pkwy, Venice).

Mary will tell us about the flatwoods/dry prairie habitats of this region and how fire, water, and grazing shape the plant communities we will see. Meet at the first parking lot off the entrance road. This event is free, and all are welcome.

Mangrove Chapter Meeting - Apr 9 - Bill Dunson

Tuesday, April 9, 1 PM The Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society will host “Designing a Backyard Wildlife Garden on Manasota Key-30 Year’s Experience,” an informative program at Lemon Bay Environmental Center, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood. Dr. Bill Dunson will describe the evolution of his property as he wintered on Manasota Key the past 30 years.  BYOPicnic social at 12:15pm. 

Mangrove Chapter Walk - Apr 18 - Myakka State Forest

April 18, 2024 from 9:00-11:00 AM Join Bill Dunson from the Mangrove Chapter of the FL Native Plant Society for a nature walk at Myakka State Forest, Main Entrance, 2555 South River Road, Englewood. Take a walk on the 1.5 mile Gordon Smith Trail to look at spring flowers and discuss factors influencing the ecology of the sub-climax pine flatwoods. We will closely examine a near pristine natural wetland and its circular zones of vegetation. Depending on conditions, about 80 native flatwood and wetland plants may be seen on this trail. The State Forest has a $2 day pass entry fee to be paid online.

Mangrove Chapter Walk - Apr 26 - Oscar Scherer State Park

Friday, April 26, 9:00-11:00 AM.  Join the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society and Mary Davis for a guided walk at Oscar Scherer State Park, 6202 Oscar Scherer State Park Dr., Nokomis. Mary will tell us about the mosaic of plant communities we will see that are characteristic of the SW Florida Flatwoods ecoregion and about management challenges to provide habitat for the endemic Florida Scrub Jay. Meet at the Nature Center at the end of the entrance road. There is a $5 per vehicle fee to enter the park.  All are welcome. For more information, contact mangrovechapter@fnps.org.

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