THE UNDERSTORY IS A QUARTERLY PUBLICATION OF THE PINELLAS CHAPTER OF THE FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY The ! Understory
2015 Issue 3
A THANK YOU FROM KATY ROBERTS
I want to thank all the folks who came to help at the Spring plant festival. The day was beautiful, perhaps a little hot. I got great reviews on the hike lead by Greg Coston (thank you Greg). Sales were brisk in the morning and the talks were well attended. Our members and volunteers are what make these days so special. Our next opportunity to learn through volunteering while making friends will be at our landscape tour and next plant sale. See you there! Katy JOIN MEETUP FNPS Pinellas Chapter now has a meetup group. Join us to stay in touch with u p c o m i n g f i e l d t r i p s , programs, and volunteer opportunities
Newsletter Contents Labor of Love continued ...... Page 7 2015 FNPS Conf. by J. Allyn . . . . Page 8 Thank You from Katy ...... Page 1 FANN Trade Show by L. Boing . . Page 9 Upcoming Programs ...... Page 2 Parks in Pinellas ...... Page 10 Pinellas Chapter News ...... Page 3 Community Support ...... Page 11 A Labor of Love by C. Arnold . . . Page 4 Chapter Directory ...... Page 12 Conservation Topics ...... Page 5 Back Cover ...... Page 13 Summer Calendar ...... Page 6
The Understory 1 PINELLAS CHAPTER FNPS
Upcoming Programs 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, featuring refreshments, seed swap, and 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
1 July 2015 2 September 2015 Wednesday 7 pm Wednesday 7 pm Planting Green Roofs and Native Landscape Tour Living Walls Preview Claudia Lewis Jan Allyn In the most densely populated county in A sneak preview of the 9th Annual Tour Florida, walls and roofs could provide 5 August 2015 of Native Landscapes! See what is possible when conventionally practical spaces to bring back the plants Wednesday 7 pm landscaped yards are transformed into and animals that roads and buildings Native Plants to Attract native plant habitats that are environmentally and wildlife friendly. have displaced. These green roofs and Birds walls would have enormous ecological, Do you have a tour-worthy landscape? Tour sites should: economic, and aesthetic benefits. Marie Hughes • Be composed of at least 75% native Environmental educator Claudia Lewis Marie Hughes will present native species will showcase examples of green roofs Florida plants that you can add to your • Be free of exotic invasive plants (no and walls from cities around the world. landscape that will attract birds, Category I or II plants on the Consider planting green roofs and walls providing them with food, roosting, and FLEPPC list (see FLEPPC.org) for insulation, shade, reduced noise, n e s t i n g p l a c e s . P l a n t s p l a y a • Have no more than 25% irrigated grass area wildlife habitat, and creating an original fundamental part in a bird's life. They provide food, shelter, foraging areas, • Be aesthetically appealing and beautiful look in our “built” protective cover from predators, a stage Sites are chosen based on number and environment. diversity of species, aesthetic appeal, for courting and territorial displays, and proximity with planned tour route. nest-building material, and nest To have your landscape considered, platforms. The berries and seeds of contact Jan Allyn (727-244-0312) or native plants are natural bird food. [email protected]. Plants are also host to insects, another vital food source for birds. By planting Future Programs and Field a variety of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, Trips vines, and grasses you can provide an For updates to future events, visit array of resources for the birds in your the FNPS Pinellas Chapter landscape. Learn which plant species online calendar. are especially valuable, and get started or check us out at Capella Garcia Green Wall, Barcelona enhancing your landscape to support meetup our feathered friends!