28th Annual Conference
Florida Native Plant Society
Annual Conference
Estuaries to Uplands: Celebrating Florida's Native Plant Heritage
May 14-18, 2008
Manatee Convention Center
One Haben Boulevard, Palmetto, FL 34221
(Near Bradenton)
Hosted by the Mangrove, Pinellas, Serenoa & Suncoast Chapters
Sponsored by
The Southwest Florida Water Management District
and the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program
Purpose of Conference: To provide educational programs to FNPS members and the general public about the planting, preservation, conservation and restoration of Florida native plants and their associated plant communities.
Notable conference activities:
- Field trips to over 20 locations highlighting native plant communities, native trees, shrubs and wildflowers led by botanists and local plant specialists.
- Native plant sale providing locally grown trees, shrubs and wildflowers throughout the event. Hundreds of new native plants for home landscapes!
- Educational exhibit tables; many vendors
- The latest news in conservation, preservation and restoration of Florida native plant communities
- Workshops for landscape design, making plant specimens, nature photography, scientific information regarding the “Real Florida” and much more.
- Social events
If you would like to review sponsorship opportunities and benefits, please contact Karina Veaudry or Ray Wunderlich
Karina Veaudry 407-895-8446 Ray Wunderlich rayrunner@yahoo.com 727-577-4344 -
Conference Schedule has been Updated!The latest conference schedule was posted on Tuesday May 6. You can view or download the new schedule by clicking the SCHEDULE button below.
Early registration has closed, if you have not yet registered, you may do so onsite at the conference.
REGISTER ON SITE FOR FIELD TRIPS AND FRIDAY / SATURDAY SESSION DAYS - $55.00 / DAY
ALSO REGISTER ON SITE FOR THE SATURDAY NIGHT GALA DINNER SOCIAL - $35.00
GO TO THE REGISTRATION DESK FOR DETAILS AND TO REGISTER.
Conference Hotel
Your hosts from the Mangrove, Pinellas, Serenoa and Suncoast Chapters have planned an interesting conference with intriguing speakers and incredible field trips. Make plans now to attend and register on site!
For complete conference information download the conference schedule.
There are also sponsorship opportunities for your company to be promoted and receive prominent publicity at the 2008 Florida Native Plant Society Conference inlcuding the FNPS website. Sponsor benefit details available here. For individually tailored sponsor benefit packages, contact Karina Veaudry executivedirector@fnps.org 321.388.4781
If you would like to be a vendor or exhibitor, click here for application.
General Conference Schedule
Thursday May 15 and Sunday May 18 will be dedicated to field trips and workshops. Field trips will be going to a variety of natural areas led by knowledgeable naturalists. A variety of workshops will also be offered on Thursday and Sunday.
CEU's available for FNGLA and ISA Arborists.
Friday, May 16th and Saturday May 17th are the conference program days. View the conference program schedule. Each morning will start with a keynote speaker, followed by breakout sessions or panel discussions. The speakers will discuss a wide range of topics including: native plants, landscaping, plant conservation, plant identification, native landscape design, conservation land acquisition, conservation land management, exotic pest plant control, and community involvement.
Friday and Saturday also feature fun activities for children in our FNPS Childrens' Conferece for those parents who wish to attend the conference with children. Download the children's events schedule.
There will be an extensive native plant sale (with landscaping advice available from the Master Gardeners), a silent auction, and a vendor room offering books, art, landscaping services and much more. Many non-profits and government agencies will have displays and educational handouts available. Business of the Florida Native Plant Society is also conducted, including a general membership meeting, presentation of Palmetto awards, and Committee meetings.
Finally, social events will be available Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights. Wednesday evening social is a gathering around the Holiday Inn Riverfront couryard fountain. Thursday's social will be at the Manatee Convention Center and feature hors'deurves and a cash bar . Friday night's event will be held at the Florida Museum and will include dinner, an author book-signing, FNPS Jeopardy, music by THE BEAGLES and the annual plant identification contest. Saturday night's Gala event will feature the FNPS 2008 Landscape Awards and will be held at the Manatee Convention Center.
Changed by: Paul Rebmann
