News Blog

Dave and Linda Manley attended the North Port City Commission meeting to accept the proclamation announcing October as Native Plant Month. The request for the proclamation had been submitted earlier and was accepted by the city.

Led by Dave and Linda Manley, our November Sunset Stroll will be Wednesday, November 16 at 4:30 PM at Lemon Bay Environmental Park, 570 Bay Park Blvd., Englewood. While Lemon Bay is a large park, we will walk only the short trip on the boardwalks along the mangrove fringe. We may see wading birds or other wildlife, and with luck, we’ll see the approaching sunset over the bay. Meet at the nature center.

This amazing e-book is made available to us at no cost through the Florida Native Plant Society. We're offering this guide FREE in this critical time, when many Florida residents face replanting all or part of their yards and gardens in the wake of Hurricane Ian. More than a plea to plant native, it offers valuable information about saving water, keeping your soil healthy, minimizing use of pesticides, and saving money while doing all that..

Read more about this FREE PDF download HERE 

Ian’s damage continues to thwart our resolve to return to our traditional meeting place, and for our meeting on Tuesday, November 8, we will meet at the North Port Library, 13800 Tamiami Trail [map]. That is the intersection of Hwy 41 and Biscayne in North Port. Meeting time is 1:30-3:30 due to a technical glitch in reservations. Our speaker is Barbara Lockhart from the Environmental Conservancy of North Port, who will speak on the topic, “Nature Conservation Starts in Your Neighborhood.” We will have our usual raffle, with prize selections as books on plants and gardening donated by our members. We are excited to start a new season and look forward to seeing all of you again. Please plan to join us!

Are you ready for some good news from Mother Nature after her Ian temper tantrum? Join Dave and Linda Manley for a 1-hour sunset stroll, 4:30 to 5:30, on Wednesday, October 19 at Maxine Barritt Park, 1800 Harbor Blvd. in Venice. We scouted the park and although it’s not at its best, sidewalks are still walkable. Meet at the first shelter house when you come in the parking lot entrance.

Although Ian has come and gone, we know that many of you have suffered losses that may require months to overcome. Our hearts go out to you and we hope that you are safe, in spite of the damages you may have suffered. The State level of the Florida Native Plant Society has reached out to us to offer concern for all those affected.

Englewood, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte suffered particularly extensive damage, and many of our members live in those communities. Venice, North Port, and surrounding areas sustained damage as well. In Charlotte County, all parks, libraries, and some other properties are closed until further notice.

Mangrove Chapter has cancelled all its activities for the month of October, including the membership meeting scheduled for October 11. We hope to be able to resume meetings with our regularly scheduled meeting on November 8.

We had walks scheduled for October 19 and 29. If we are able to hold those walks, we will let you know as soon as possible. Please watch this blog and our Facebook page for ongoing updates and information. Until then, please stay safe, take care of yourself and your family, and help others when you can.

Linda Manley, President
Mangrove Chapter
Florida Native Plant Society

Sunset Stroll - 

TENTATIVE - WATCH FOR UPDATE

Wednesday, October , 4:30-5:30 PM Join Dave and Linda Manley from the Mangrove Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society for a Sunset Stroll in Maxine Barritt Park, 1800 Harbor Drive S., Venice. This is an urban park with a one-mile paved trail around a pond.  Many native plants grow along the edges beside the trail. Abundant parking is available in the parking lot facing the pond. Meet at the first shelter just as you drive in. 

CANCELLED DUE TO STORM

Don't miss the first meeting of our new season at 1:00 on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. Our program will begin with Nathalie Smith, Parks Naturalist and Land Manager for Lemon Bay Environmental Park. She will introduce herself and provide background about Lemon Bay Park.

Following Nathalie will be Jeff Weber who has been an Environmental Specialist with Sarasota County Parks for over 35 years and has managed eight different properties over that time. Jeff will present a program on Noteworthy Plants of Southwest Florida. Southwest Florida is a botanically diverse region! Here, the natural ranges of temperate and tropical plants overlap. Our area is also home to a number of interesting rare and endemic species and a few local specialties. Our mild climate provides the perfect conditions for several invasive exotic species to thrive, as well. Come and learn about Southwest Florida's most noteworthy plants.

Return to our Traditional Meeting Place

Mangrove Chapter is pleased to announce that our meetings will once again be held at our long-time home, Lemon Bay Park & Environmental Center in Englewood, 570 Bay Park Blvd, Englewood, FL 34223. Our return will begin with the first meeting of our new season on Tuesday, October 11, 2022. We will again have a large parking lot to accommodate all of us, and we will have an easy ramp instead of stairs to climb. Our meeting room will be larger, with ample chairs and tables. We will continue to meet at 1:00 in the afternoon. See you there!

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) Nature Walks

All walks begin at 8:00 AM. Prepare for each walk with plenty of water, insect repellent, sunscreen, and clothing that will protect you from insects and plants. Advance registration is required. For more information or to register, call 941-475-0769. For updates check out the CHEC Calendar

Monday, October 3rd - Seagrass Wading Trip
Advance registration is required. Trips fill up fast! 
Meet in the Cedar Point Visitor Center at 9:00 am
For more information or to register, call at 941-475-0769
or email Tome@checflorida.org.

Halloween Haunted Hikes

Saturdays October 8, 15, 22 &29
Cedar Point Environmental Park
2300 Placida Rd, Englewood, FL 34224

October Guided Hikes

Wednesday,  October 5th - Bill Coy/Buck Creek Preserve
5350 Placida Rd, Englewood, FL 34224

Wednesday,  October 12th - Bayshore Live Oak Park
23157 Bayshore Rd, Port Charlotte, FL

Wednesday,  October 12th - Tippecanoe Environmental Park
Meet behind the Charlotte County Sports Park.
Please call 941-475-0769 to register or for more information

Wednesday,  October 19th - Amberjack Environmental Park
6450 Gasparilla Pines Blvd., Rotonda, FL

Wednesday,  October 26th - Tippecanoe II Mitigation Preserve
16259 Joppa Ave., Port Charlotte, FL

Octbober 20 - EcoWalk: Meditation in the Parks 9:00AM - 10:00AM

Join us for an exploration of finding peace within nature. 
Red Bug Slough Preserve 5200 South Beneva Road Sarasota, FL 34231
This event is free REGISTER HERE

November 7 - EcoTalk: Bats! 6:00PM - 7:00PM

Learn what bats are in our area and why we want them here! 
North Port Public Library, Conference Room 13800 S. Tamiami Trail North Port, FL 34287
Instructor: Dr. Katherine Clements, UF/IFAS Extension Sarasota County ecology and natural resources educator. This event is free REGISTER HERE

November 18 - Wild Sarasota: Falcons of Florida 12:00PM - 1:15PM (Webinar)

In this Free Zoom episode we will focus on our local falcon species and their unique adaptations. 
REGISTER HERE

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 .