THE UNDERSTORY IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE …pinellas.fnpschapters.org/data/uploads/newsletters/2015_Issue2_we… · Garden Work Day 1 - 3 pm Sunday. Contact Carlton Rowell

The !

UnderstoryYou are invited to attend the

Suncoast Chapter April Meeting

featuring FNPS President, Anne Cox

15 April 2015 at 7:00 pm Hillsborough County Extension 5339 County Rd 579, Seffner

Florida native plants are the lifeblood of our environment. Without viable native plant populations, our native wildlife will not survive, and our state would be more susceptible to harmful invasives. While growing native plants is fun, and great for the environment, there is so much to be done. Come find out how you can join and support the FNPS Mission!

Anne Cox, President of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) will speak at the April 15th meeting of the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society. She will discuss activities and initiatives that the state

organization supports to fulfill its mission to promote the preservation, conservation and restoration of the native plant communities of Florida. Members and non-members of FNPS should attend this meeting to learn more about the Florida Native Plant Society's role as a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to preserving Florida's native plant legacy through science, education and grassroots advocacy.

Anne will also give us a preview of the upcoming 35th Annual Conference, "Born to Burn : Conse rva t ion , P rese rva t ion , Restoration on Public & Private Land”, May 28-31 in Tallahassee, Florida (see page 8).

Meetings are held at the Hillsborough County Extension, 5339 County Rd 579, Seffner. (813) 679-5597. Free. Light refreshments. A plant auction follows the presentation. For more information visit suncoastnps.org.

2015 Issue 2

Newsletter Contents

FNPS President in Seffner . . . . . Page 1

Upcoming Programs . . . . . . . . . . Page 2

Pinellas Chapter News . . . . . . . . Page 3

Spring Native Plant Festival . . . . Page 4

Extended Calendar of Events . . . Page 5

Wayside Shrine Trail . . . . . . . . . . . Page 6

Conservation Topics . . . . . . . . . . . Page 7

Annual FNPS Conference . . . . . . Page 8

Search for Volunteers . . . . . . . . . . Page 9

Chapter Directory . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 10

Back Cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Page 11

T H E U N D E R S T O R Y I S A Q U A R T E R LY P U B L I C A T I O N O F T H E P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R O F T H E F L O R I D A N A T I V E P L A N T S O C I E T Y

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http://suncoastnps.org/http://suncoastnps.org/

1 April 2015 Wednesday 7 pm

Adopt-A-Pond Melissa Harrison

The Pinellas County Adopt-A-Pond program partners with citizens in unincorporated areas of the County to increase the functionality of their stormwater ponds to achieve benefits such as: improved water quality, habitat restoration, drainage improvement, flood protection, and increased environmental stewardship. Participants in the Adopt-A-Pond program will work together to improve their communities by designing, implementing, and maintaining a 5-year plan for their stormwater ponds. Activities can include invasive plant removal, native plantings, pond cleanup events, and neighborhood outreach and education.

Presentation by Melissa Harrison, an environmental specialist with Pinellas County's Department of Environment & Infrastructure

For more information about the Pinellas County Adopt-A-Pond program, visit these links:

http://www.pinellas.wateratlas.usf.edu/AAP/

h t t p : / / w w w. p i n e l l a s c o u n t y. o rg /envi ronment /watershed/adopt -a-pond.htm

6 May 2015 Wednesday 7 pm

How One Person Got Rid of His Grass: the path to a

yard full of native and food-producing plants

Andrew Karpinski Andrew Karpinski will describe the process he used to transform his landscape from a typical suburban yard dominated by turf-grass to a vibrant garden that is not only environmentally friendly, it also produces food. Read more about Andy's garden in the April-May 2013 issue of the Pinellas Chapter newsletter.

3 June 2015 Wednesday 7 pm

The Villas of Clearwater Beach: native landscaping a

condominium Kodiak Brothers

Join Kodiak Brothers to see how this condo association became “Gulf Friendly” by replacing exotics with native plants: a beautiful landscape with lower maintenance costs. An important benefit is less nitrogen running off into nearby Gulf waters.

Spring Native Plant Festival

18 April 2015 Saturday 9 am - 4 pm

Wilcox Nursery & Landscape 12501 Indian Rocks Road, Largo

(727) 595-2073

see page 4 for details

A Permaculture Tour of Andy’s Yard

16 May 2015 9:30 am

A Field Trip To RSVP and get directions, contact

Andy Karpinski at [email protected]

Upcoming Programs Important note about location: Member meetings are usually held at Moccasin Lake Nature Park from 7 - 9 pm on the first Wednesday of the month. Exceptions will be noted*. If the gate is locked, call Jan Allyn at 727-244-0312. These events are organized by the Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society -- free and open to the public. Complimentary refreshments. Seed swap. Silent auction of native plants. For more information visit: http://pinellas.fnpschapters.org. Moccasin Lake Nature Park, 2750 Park Trail Lane, Clearwater, FL http://goo.gl/maps/Zofh0

Future Programs and Field Trips

1 July 2015 at 7 pm at Moccasin Lake Nature Park Planting Green Roofs and Living Walls with Claudia Lewis

11 July 2015 at 7 am The Florida House Institute a Field Trip with Candy Arnold to the first “Green” building open to the public. [email protected]

For updates to our future programs and field trips, visit the FNPS Pinellas Chapter online calendar: Pinellas Chapter

P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

2015 Issue 22

JanTypewritten Text

http://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/data/uploads/newsletters/aprmay13.pdfhttp://www.pinellascounty.org/environment/watershed/adopt-a-pond.htmhttp://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/index.php?id=calendar

mailto:[email protected]

P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

2015 Issue 24

April11 April Kids' Wildlife Safari,

Brooker Creek Preserve, Tarpon Springs www.friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org

12 April Moccasin Lake Butterfly Garden Work Day, 1 - 3 pm Sunday. Contact Carlton Rowell

18 April Spring Plant Festival, Wilcox Nursery, Largo. Page 4

18 April Earth Day St. Petersburg, S o u t h S t r a u b P a r k , www.stpeteearthday.com

18 - 19 April Island Earth Days, Honeymoon Island State Park, Dunedin www.islandparks.org

18 April Work Days on the Island, also May 16 & June 20, Egmont Key State Park, www.egmontkey.info

25 April Spring Wildflower Walks see inset to the right

25-26 April Green Thumb Festival, Wa l t e r F u l l e r P a r k , S t . Petersburg. Volunteers needed.

http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/greenthumb/

25 April Wildflower Garden Club Work Days, Also May 30 & June 27 at Brooker Creek Preserve, Tarpon Springs www.friendsofbrookercreekpreserve.org

29 April to 16 May Special Topics Master Naturalist Course: Conservation Science, various locat ions . Informat ion at www.masternaturalist.org

May9 May 2015 Lakes and Ponds

Education and Arbor Day Celebration, 9 am -12:30 pm, Pinellas County Extension, Largo, To sign up

9 May Moccasin Lake Butterfly Garden Work Day 1 - 3 pm Sunday. Contact Carlton Rowell

14 May - 25 June Florida Style Landscaping 2015 (6-part course), St. Petersburg Water Resources, Free, seating limited

www.growpinellas.eventbrite.com

16 May Remember to RSVP for Field trip to Andy Karpinski’s Yard [email protected] (page 2)

28-31 May 35th Annual FNPS C o n f e re n c e , C h a l l e n g e r Learning Center, Tallahassee. See page 8

30 May Landscaping for Wildlife, 10-11 am, Weedon Island Preserve , St . Petersburg, www.weedonislandpreserve.org

June

3-20 June Special Topics Master Naturalist Course: Wildlife Monitoring, Boyd Hill Nature Park. www.masternaturalist.org

14 June Moccasin Lake Butterfly Garden Work Day, 1 - 3 pm Sunday. Contact Carlton Rowell

20 June Botany 101, 10 am - noon, Weedon Island Preserve, St. Petersburg

In Memoriam Dr. Daniel F. Austin, who was known for his knowledge of Florida plants and ecosystems, passed away earlier t h i s y e a r. H i s b o o k , F l o r i d a Ethnobotany, won the 2005 Klinger Book Award. Dr. Austin was known world-wide for his knowledge of Ipomoeas and Convolvulaceae. He was well-loved by his former students at FAU. He will be missed.

EXTENDED CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Spring Wildflower Walks

with the dynamic duo: Craig Huegel and Roger Hammer

25 April 2015 - 9:30 am & 1:30 pm

Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park

Roger and Craig will combine their personal passion and extensive knowledge of Florida's flora, along with their well-known wit and humor, to educate and entertain. Participants may also sign up for a free 45-minute buggy ride in the prairie.

Registration fee: members $24 and non-members $34 www.friendsofkissimmeeprairiepreserveinc.wildapricot.com

P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

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mailto:[email protected]://www.eventbrite.com/e/florida-style-landscaping-2015-tickets-15928837582http://www.stpeteparksrec.org/greenthumb/http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2015-lakes-and-ponds-education-and-arbor-day-celebration-tickets-15633171236mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]

by Ellen Raabe

It was a damp and overcast day in March when several members of the Pinellas FNPS Chapter took a guided tour of the Wayside Shrine Trail at South Florida State College in Avon Park. The field trip carpool left from South St. Petersburg to make a 2-hour drive to Avon Park. The trail was developed through a partnership between the South Florida State College Museum of Florida Art and Culture (MOFAC) and Archbold Biological Station, Lake Placid.

We were met by Dr. Mollie Doctrow, trail curator and artist, bundled against the morning fog in a vest and long sleeves. Before walking up the path we were introduced to several unusual and delicate plants on a sandy incline, including sand s p i k e m o s s , r e i n d e e r l i chen , and s andh i l l wireweed. Not too far up the trail we spotted the first shrine box. The door of each box is a lovely woodcut of one of the rare plants in this sandhill habitat. If you bring paper with crayon or charcoal, you can make a rubbing to take home and f r a m e . Vi s i t o r s a r e encouraged to examine artifacts and sign the book inside each shrine.

What wonderful timing! The endangered Pygmy Fringe Tree (Chionanthus pygmaeus) was in full flower with profuse white blooms. Everything was on a small scale, as if we h a d w a l k e d i n t o a miniature woodland. Size is one of the adaptations to a harsh environment with l i m i t e d w a t e r a n d nutrients. The Wayside Shrine Trail is dedicated to conserving and protecting natural habitats on the Lake Wales Ridge. The Ridge consists of ancient beach dunes formed when higher sea levels isolated this area. The plant community that a d a p t e d t o t h i s environment is a unique suite of plants that tolerate very dry sandy conditions. It is also fragile. Watch out not to step off the trail! The tiny mosses and lichen are a valuable ground cover and the bull nettle and cacti can (ow!) leave a lasting memory. Viewing what has been done at the Shrine Trail, perhaps there is a special natural habitat in Pinellas County worth celebrating with art that could also serve an educational function as the Shrine Trail does. The trail is located at 600 West College Drive, Avon Park, 33825. For information: http://mofac.org/wayside/

WAYSIDE SHRINE TRAIL

The trip coincided with the blooming of the endangered Pygmy Fringe Tree (Chionanthus pygmaeus). Photo by Jan Allyn

Powder puff lichen and prickly pear cacti form a unusual ground cover among oak and scrub hickory leaves on the dry sand ridge. Photo by Jan Allyn

Artist Mollie Doctrow stands b e s i d e a s h r i n e t o t h e Highlands Scrub St. John’s Wort. This tough little plant grows only on the Lake Wales Ridge. Photo by Ellen Raabe

Lupine and saw palmetto thrive in pinelands near the Archbald Biological Station. Note bright green leaves of the gopher apple that carpets the ground. Photo by Jan Allyn

P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

2015 Issue 26

Here are four upcoming issues in Florida and in Pinellas County that affect conservation and particularly conservation of natural habitats and native plants.

*********

FLORIDA LAND AND WATER LEGACY WANTS YOU TO TAKE ACTION NOW ON

AMENDMENT 1 Reprinted from Florida's Water and Land Legacy Newsletter, Vol 4, Issue 5, Mar 6, 2015

“There has been a lot of talk in the halls of the Legislature and the media about what conservation projects qualify for Amendment 1 funding. There are many hands reaching into the cookie jar for projects that lack a true conservation purpose. The good news is that we've changed the debate. Lawmakers are asking questions of scientists and experts and listening to the informed opinions of conservationists and state agencies. At virtually every meeting relating to conservation and protecting our water resources, our legislators have shown that they are well-aware of how strong the support for Amendment 1 is among voters. The media also is paying close attention to what happens in the Legislature. They are on the look-out for any shenanigans lawmakers might pull with Amendment 1 funding. Nobody, it seems, wants another Lottery Amendment. Now, we need you to be ready. Any day now the Senate and House will be releasing their proposed Amendment 1 allocations. If their numbers don't align with ours, if they dedicate Amendment 1 dollars to sweetheart deals that benefit only a few, if they simply replace existing funding with Amendment 1 funds, we'll need you to contact your Senators and Representatives and give them a piece of your mind.” See the FNPS webpage on Amendment 1:

SWFWMD SURPLUS LANDS The Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFMD) reviews all lands every two years to identify "surplus" lands that do not meet the District's goals. Some of the land is bits and pieces that have little conservation or watershed protection value and are hard to maintain. There are other pieces that should be kept to protect groundwater recharge, provide ecosystem services, and provide wildlife habitat. The parcels that are being proposed for surplus are available for review and public comments are being accepted. To review the SWFWMD lands and provide comment go to: https://www.swfwmd.state.fl.us/projects/surplus-lands/ You can still attend a SWFWMD surplus lands meeting in Tampa or in Brooksville: April 1, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Surplus Lands Public Input Workshop, Tampa Service Office 7601 US 301, Tampa, FL

April 2, 2015 at 5:30 p.m. Surplus Lands Public Input Workshop, District Headquarters 2379 Broad Street, Brooksville, FL For info, contact Cheryl Hill 352-796-7211, x4452

*********

DOES WATER QUALITY MATTER?

The Florida House passed Water Bill HB7003 which weakens Water Management District control of pollutants entering state waters. Senate Land and Water Bill 918 is still in process. This bill puts the clean-up of pollutants in the hands of the landowners, a reasonable option only if the owners are good stewards of the land.

Read what FNPS says about the water bills: http://www fnps.org/news/society-news/legislative-session-update

To read more from Florida Water and Land Legacy: http://floridawaterlandlegacy.org/sections/news/5511657a75c9a1448500000c

*********

DEBATE CONTINUES OVER LAND USE NEAR BAYSIDE BRIDGE

Debate over appropriate use of undeveloped land owned by the county of Pinellas has been recently renewed. The county has been tasked to develop recreation areas for an unincorporated area near High Point. Local residents see the debated parcel along the bay as a reasonable choice for a canoe and kayak launch, parking, and basic picnic facilities. Commissioner Karen Seel would like to see a ball field there. On the other hand, developers were trying to pursue a plan to build over 150 affordable housing units and some three dozen homes. The rezoning that permitted such development expired last year. The 12-acre parcel supports oak-palmetto scrub, marsh, and mangrove near the south end of Bayside Bridge. It is tucked back in a neighborhood where recreational facilities are currently lacking. This may be an opportunity to conserve and protect a suite of native plant communities fronting Tampa Bay. For more information see 03/05/15 article in Tampa Bay Times by Tony Marrero (article), or Pinellas County Commissioners Office.

********* If you have a personal opinion, please contact your representative or the contact provided with each topic. If you are aware of a native plant conservation topic, particularly in Pinellas County, please share with your FNPS Chapter [email protected]

CONSERVATION TOPICSP I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

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http://wwwfnps.org/news/society-news/legislative-session-updatehttp://floridawaterlandlegacy.org/sections/news/5511657a75c9a1448500000chttp://www.fnps.org/news/alertshttp://www.tampabay.com/news/localgovernment/rebounding-economy-renews-debate-over-county-owned-land-near-bayside-bridge/2220176

by Debbie Chayet

Florida Native Plant Society welcomes you to attend their 35th annual conference being held in Tallahassee this May 28-31, 2015! Come hear inspiring speakers and learn about native plants and native habitats. Explore spectacular conservation lands on great field trips led by skilled and

often funny leaders! Experience fellowship with other "plant people"! Explore the theme "Born to Burn", learning how prescribed burning improves the hea l th o f na t ive ecosystems and aids in conservation, preservation and restoration of natural lands. Registration opens any day so watch the website: http://www.fnps.org/conference! See you in Tally!

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL FNPS CONFERENCE

“Gardening is civil and social, but it wants the vigor and

freedom of the forest and the outlaw.”

― Henry David Thoreau.

P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

2015 Issue 28

Bring in the Native Volunteers Our Chapter can help FNPS achieve its mission of conserving, preserving, and restoring native plants and native plant communities *only* with the help of its members. Your participation in the chapter is vital! Volunteer help is currently needed in the following areas:

• Volunteer Coordinator

• Plant Festival Manager

• Field Trip Coordinator

• Hospitality Provider

• Membership Coordinator • Program Coordinator

• Sales Table Manager

More information about these positions can be found at: http://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/volunteer/

*****

Our volunteers are the best. Thank you to our members, new and old, and thank you to our business members. They support the Florida Native Plant Society. Please support them.

*****

This is your newsletter. As always, please feel free to contribute. Understory Editor, Ellen Raabe

*****

Do you have native plants volunteering in your garden? Please pot them up and bring to a monthly program. A silent auction is held each month. Your extra plants will go home with someone trying to establish natives in their own yard AND the proceeds benefit the Pinellas Chapter FNPS!

*****

Sunset House & Gardens “A place to relax, recharge and explore”

1246 Sunset Point Rd Clearwater, FL 33755  727-543-3010http://www.sunsethouseandgardens.com

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mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]

Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society 2015 Issue 2

FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY

The mission of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida.

Join us at monthly meetings for inspirational speakers, on field trips to see natural habitats, at plant sales, or visit local plant nurseries specializing in native plants. Visit us online.

Pinellas Chapter web address: http://pinellas.fnpschapters.org/

FNPS Blog: http://fnpsblog.blogspot.com

Twitter @FNPSonline

Join/Like us on Facebook

Pinellas Chapter FNPS

Pinellas Chapter Florida Native Plant Society

P.O. Box 1661

Pinellas Park, Florida

33780-1661

P I N E L L A S C H A P T E R F N P S

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