The Nature Coastline Newsletter of the Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society A Message from the President Learn, meet new friends with like interests and have some fun……. Holiday time! Our winter residents glass, wood, iron. The creativity is end- are back and I don’t mean the birds! less and a great place to purchase Families are getting together. People Holiday gifts. are shopping for gifts. Everyone is in- Laura Starkey, owner of Heartwood volved and busy. Some of this activity Preserve, will lead us on a terrific field NOVEMBER-DECEMBER should be outdoors. This is the per- trip of the Heartwood Preserve on 2019 fect time of year for field trips, work- In this issue: Nov 23rd. You will be astounded with ing in the yard and participating in our the work she has done. It is an amaz- chapter programs. Check out the sug- Meetings/Programs and ing preserve with an important pur- gestions in the newsletter, as well as Field Trips pose. by Pat Kelly on our website, And don’t forget our Holiday Potluck http://www.pasconativeplants.org th party and silent auction on Dec. 10 . Calendar http://naturecoast.fnpschapters.org The food is always spectacular, and the items for the silent auction are In the Spotlight For those of us that need some moti- vation and know-how in our gardens, fabulous. Great for Holiday gifts. If Mary Ellen Gotto is presenting you have something you would like to Plant Profile: “Native Plant Workshop 101” on Nov donate, call Jean Nixon at 813-996- Red Anise 9th. She will help the newer members 9759 or Nancy Heusted at 727-515- 1642. (Illicium floridanum) of the chapter and folks interested in by Peggy Gretchen planting natives by giving us her ex- Thank you for being members of the periences, successes and failures. Nature Coast Chapter of the Florida The Upcycle Festival, Nov. 16th is a Native Plant Society. Without you, we fun opportunity to enjoy a day out could not fulfill our mission of preserv- with the whole family, volunteer at ing, conserving and restoring native our outreach table and encourage plants and native plant communities new memberships. Every vendor has of Florida. items crafted from recycled products, Jonnie Spitler, President The Mission of the Florida Native Plant Society is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. Nature Coast Chapter meetings, field trips, The Society fulfills its mission through: and activities are open to FNPS members and Support for conservation land acquisition the public alike. Land management that enhances habitat suitabil- ity for native plants Monthly meetings are held the 2nd Tuesday of each Education month at 7 p.m. Public policies that protect our native flora, espe- Location: cially rare species Land O’ Lakes Community Center Research on native plant species 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd (US 41) Encouragement of local landscaping practices and Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 policies that preserve Florida's native plant heri- In the back meeting room. Entrance is off tage the courtyard - on the south side of the building. To become a member go to FNPS.org and click on “Join/Support” at the upper right-hand corner of screen. Print form, complete, and mail form to FNPS, Chapter website: pasconativeplants.org or call. You may also join at a chapter meeting. Chapter E-mail: [email protected] www.facebook.com/PascoNativePlants twitter.com/NatureCoastFNPS MEMBERSHIP LEVELS FNPS website: http://www.fnps.org/ Gold $500 Patron $250 Business $150 Non-Profit $150 Supporting $100 Household $50 A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL Individual $35 Full Time Student $15 INFORMATION FOR THE FLORIDA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY, A FLORIDA-BASED NONPROFIT CORPORATION (REGISTRATION OR BOOST YOUR SUPPORT by renewing as a Sustain- NO. CH3021), MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF ing Member -- easy $10 monthly payments automati- CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE 1-800-HELP- cally and securely charged to your credit card. CREDIT FLA (435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE OR VISITING THEIR WEB- CARD PAYMENT REQUIRED. No checks/invoicing. Sus- SITE AT csapp.800helpfla.com. REGISTRATION DOES NOT taining membership remains in effect as long as you IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, wish and your card number is valid. OFFICERS: President: Jonnie Spitler 813.435.8143 [email protected] Vice President: Mary Ellen Gotto 727.264.8701 [email protected] Treasurer: Peter Gonzalez 813.416.2375 [email protected] Secretary & Website Coordinator: Cheryl McAloon 813.928.7724 [email protected] Chapter Representative, Field Trip Chair & Facebook Administrator: Gail Parsons 813.920.2730 [email protected] CHAIRPERSONS: Newsletter Editor: Karen Wright 813.468.9201 [email protected] Publicity Chair: Sandra Vanno 727.207.1853 [email protected] Membership: Deb Tribbey 727.857.6583 [email protected] Library Chair: Sharon Holding 727.247.7367 [email protected] Refreshments: Rebecca Dance 813.368.9041 [email protected] Conservation Chair: Jan Howie 727.848.7689 [email protected] CHAPTER Program Chair: Pat Kelly 352.424.2224 [email protected] DIRECTORY Plant Sale Coordinator: Peggy Gretchen 813.991.4812 [email protected] Volunteer Coordinator: Jean Nixon [email protected] Website Chairperson Melisa Perkins 813 417-5506 [email protected] Meetings/Programs November 12, 7 PM How the Long Leaf Pine keeps its cool under fire Speaker: Laura Starkey The longleaf pine has adapted to fire Laura Starkey is the founder and Executive Director of over thousands of years. Laura will Heartwood Preserve Conservation Cemetery, a natural talk about the many ways this amazing cemetery and nature preserve located in Trinity. A and majestic tree not only survives third-generation Floridian, Laura began Heartwood forest fire, but actually thrives be- Preserve on a corner of her family’s former cattle cause of it. ranch as a way to protect an intact longleaf pine flat- woods ecosystem. She is the granddaughter of Jay B Starkey Sr, namesake of the Jay B Starkey Wilderness Park. Laura is a Prescribed Burn Manager, which means she gets to set the woods on fire. December 10, 7 PM Holiday Party NOTE: We need donations for the Silent Auction. This Join us for our annual Holiday Party - could be jewelry, art work, gift certificate, themed guests are welcome! We will have a gift basket, sports tickets, use of a vacation home, fabulous dish-to-pass supper, a Silent etc. Contact Nancy Heusted at (727) 515-1642; Auction and 2020 photo calendars of [email protected] native Florida for sale. Field Trips Saturday, November 23 The Heartwood Preserve, a nature preserve and con- Starkey Pine Flatwoods servation cemetery located in Trinity, is part of the former Starkey Ranch and borders the 18,000 acre Time 9:30 a.m. Starkey Wilderness Preserve. As we explore the long- 4100 Starkey Boulevard, Trinity, Fl 34655 leaf and slash pine flatwoods habitat we’ll discuss these two pines’ differences and similarities. We will Directions From: also see a cypress wetlands and discover many plant species that are commonly found in these two highly South - SR 54 to Starkey Blvd. Entrance is 1.5 miles diverse ecosystem. The results of the prescribed fire north on the right. burn, both in July 2018 and June 2019, will be on dis- North - SR 52 to Decubellis Rd to Starkey Blvd. En- play and we can expect to see many wildflowers in trance is 4 miles on the left with the entrance sign fac- bloom. The area we will explore is about 20 acres, not ing south; make U-turn if you go past it. a long hike but a pleasant walk. The new Welcome Center has restrooms, space to gather, and a water fountain to refill your water bottles. Please bring your own bottle (we eschew disposable water bottles), bug spray and sun protection. The Nature Coastline 3 Calendar of Events October 19: Nature Coast Chapter Fall Plant Sale, Land O’Lakes Heritage Park 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd (Hwy 41) 10am-2pm November 2: Cypress Acres Nursery End of Fall Plant Sale 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. 8632 Ehren Cutoff, Land O’ Lakes Fl 34639 (813) 406-3313 [email protected] November 2: Native Plant Walk at Lettuce Lake Park 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. 6920 East Fletcher Avenue Tampa, Fl 33637 https://www.hillsboroughcounty.org/locations/lettuce-lake-conservation-park Program is free, but the $2 per vehicle (up to eight people) park entry fee applies Walk will last approximately 1-1/2 to 2 hours Expect to walk 1 mile Meet at the Visitor's Center 6920 East Fletcher Avenue Tampa, Fl 33637 November 9: Native Plants 101 with Mary Ellen Gotto 10am - 12 noon at the Land O’Lakes Heritage Park 5401 Land O’Lakes Blvd (Hwy 41) Mary Ellen will define what a na- tive plant is and why we should use native plants both for conserving natural resources (water, soil) and sustaining wildlife. She will talk about purchasing and planting native plants and container gardening for those who are unable to "get down" and dig in the soil. Mary Ellen will also mention how she worked around the rules about plantings in her deed- restricted subdivision. There will be photos of her garden plants and handouts. November 16: Upcycle Festival 10am-5pm Heritage Park 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, Land O’ Lakes , Fl 34639 December 7: FNPS 4 Chapter Mini-Conference, Brooker Creek 9am-3pm Flyer on next page December 10: Nature Coast Chapter Xmas Party 7:00 p.m. and silent auction - Start thinking about your donation.