News Blog

Wednesday, September 21, 4:30-5:30 PM Join Dave and Linda Manley from the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society for a Sunset Stroll at Bayshore Live Oak Park, 23157 Bayshore Rd, Port Charlotte. 

This park has flat, paved trails for easy walking. The pace is slow, with time for questions and observations, and we may see some shorebirds in one section. Some of the main attractions here will be shoreline mangroves. Meet by the playground area between two parking lots. For information email mangrovechapter@fnps.org .

Event From: Environmental Conservancy of North Port (ECNP)

Sunday, September 18th, 7:00 PM. Neighborhood Conservation Group meeting and book club discussion of “Nature’s Best Hope” by Doug Tallamy via ZOOM. Registration required. Join here.

Events from Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve

Saturday, September 3rd, 9:00 AM. Steve and Tonya Bramlage lead an introductory walk to Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood. You learn the history and background of the preserve while you hike to view several of its main features.

Saturday, September 17th, 9:00 AM. Steve and Tonya Bramlage lead an introductory walk to Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve, 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood. You learn the history and background of the preserve while you hike to view several of its main features.

Events from Venice Area Audubon Society (VAAS)

Tuesday, September 30th, 6:30 PM. Monthly meeting. Documentary film, "Ice on Fire" discussing the dangers of a rapidly warming planet. 4002 S. Tamiami Trail via Annex Rd., Venice.

Sunrise Beach Walk

UPDATE: The "Sunrise Beach Walk was great with diverse plant communities observed. Photos and a summary are now posted on our Facebook Page

OK, not really sunrise. Please join Anne Risberg and Linda Manley for an early morning walk at Blind Pass Middle Beach at 8 AM on Thursday, July 14. We’re starting early to avoid as much of the heat as possible and still be able to see the summer side of beach plants.

Everyone comes to Florida in the winter and we point out plants as we can, but the summer is the time when Florida flowers put forth their best. We will walk the Duisberg Trail, which goes through shady areas as well as the sunny beach.

No registration is necessary; just show up in the parking lot near the trail entrance. We anticipate the walk will be about 90 minutes, but less if the heat is oppressive. Please be sure to bring water and wear a hat and sunscreen.

Guided Walks at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve

Unless indicated otherwise, these events are FREE. open to the public and begin at the Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve parking lot at 3120 Gasparilla Pines Blvd, Englewood, 34224.

Explore the Preserve:  Wildflowers, Alligators, Birds and Butterflies, – June 18, 9:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Join Tonya and Steve Bramlage on a short walk through the heart of the preserve. Come along to discover both upland and aquatic plants growing in this compact, dense, eco-friendly environment. Together we will observe a variety of soil and land elevations. The Preserve provides an amazing array of native plants and wildlife in the summer months. This walk is accessible for everyone and never fails to deliver rare sights and nature’s delights.

Birds of the Preserve – June 12, 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Join Mike Wisensee on a leisurely walk to observe some of the many types of birds that visit and nest at Lemon Creek Wildflower Preserve.  8:00 a.m. start time!  Remember your binoculars!

Butterflies in the Preserve, - June 26, 8:00 - 10:00 a.m.
Join Mike Weisensee on a visit to the preserve Butterfly Habitat and nearby trails to observe some of the many butterflies and other amazing insects present in the Preserve.  Note 8:00 a.m. start time.

Pollinators: Insects, Birds, and Mammals
Sat, June 18, 2022 - 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail, North Port, FL

Pollinators are beautiful, colorful, diverse and fun to watch, and they play critical roles in our ecology and food systems.

Join UF/IFAS Extension agent and resident 'bug lady', Carol Wyatt-Evens, to learn more about the amazing array of insects, birds and even mammals (we're looking at you, bats) that act as pollinators, and what you can do to help protect and preserve them.

REGISTER: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/pollinators-registration-270977329487

For questions or further information, please call 941-861-5000 or email sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu. If you require special accommodations to attend one of our events, please contact us in advance at 941-861-5000 or sarasota@ifas.ufl.edu.

The theme is “Gateway to Florida’s Biodiversity.”

Join us for Florida’s premier event focusing on the preservation, conservation and restoration of our natural lands, ecosystems, and local communities.  

This year’s conference is virtual.

Please share the news about this important conference with your colleagues and neighbors. Find out how YOU can help conserve our native plants and the pollinators and animals that depend on them.

A few highlights:

• Adventures of a Transplanted Gardener:  Improving efforts to create gardens that truly benefit pollinators
• Cutting-edge research 
• Enhancing Landscapes with Native Plants to Attract Wildlife 
• Why and how restoration matters 
• Lots of networking and advocacy opportunities with our Whova virtual platform!
• Agenda

May 7 - Volunteer Drive - Myakkahatchee Creek Environmental Park, 6968 Reisterstown Rd in North Port

Details - https://ecnorthport.com/events%2Fabout-us%2Fservices

Registration reqauired: Email NPconservancy@gmail.com or call/text 941-218-9775 

May 28 - Nature Watching at Shannon Staub Library Pond 10:00am - 11:30am (4675 Career Lane, North Port, FL.)

Join nature lovers on a slow and relaxing walk around the Shannon Staub Library pond to view, identify and discuss birds, pollinators, native plants and trees that surround and inhabit this manmade but natural-world-inhabited waterbody. 

Registration is recommended through the library website: 

May Meeting

At our May 10^th meeting we will have a BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic) and a silent auction—what fun! Bring a sandwich or snack and a beverage to drink. We’ll have a photo loop running during picnic time as you eat at your seats, and you can peruse the auction and place bids anytime during the gathering.

Begin now to burrow through your garden items, stored-away art, and dusty books and find some things to bring to our auction. The silent auction will have additional items donated by Lois Cantwell before she returned to Michigan as well as more artwork, additional nature books, and a treasure trove of items from all you chapter members. The meeting will be at 1:00 at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Road, Englewood.

Earth Day at Cedar Point Environmental Park, 2300 Placida Rd, Englewood April 23, 9-Noon

There will be live animals from animal rescue services, children’s activities, kayaking, hikes, food trucks, and information about native plants.

Go Florida Native Arbor Day Festival, Centennial Park, 1185 Centennial Blvd, Port Charlotte, April 29, 9am-1pm

This celebration is co-sponsored by UF/IFAS Extension Charlotte County and Peace River Audubon.

Volunteers will include Charlotte County Master Gardeners and students from the Port Charlotte Environmental Club. Exhibits feature commercial nurseries, educational booths, and displays from nature-related organizations. For more information see https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/charlotte/