23rd Annual Florida Native Plant Society Conference

Celebrate Earth Day weekend with the Society. Register now to ensure your stay at the conference hotel! For complete information, download the conference program.

Registration is now open!

For mailable, faxable registration form, download the registration form.

For complete information, download the conference program.

The Paynes Prairie Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society is delighted to host the 27th Annual Conference in Gainesville, Florida.  The 2007 conference theme explores how installing native landscapes in urban areas and conserving natural areas across the state enhance our lives and protect this rare and unique flora and fauna, Florida.

No matter what your background, whether educator, professional horticulturalist, gardener, scientist, nature enthusiast, or environmental activist, you will find conference programs that are fascinating and inspiring.  A total of 26 field trips are planned over two days, Thursday and Sunday (April 19 and 22).  Trips will be on public or private lands and will range from short walks to adventuresome hikes, canoe paddles, a bike trek, and behind-the-scenes museum tours.  Practical workshops on horticultural methods, plant ID, and other topics will be held Thursday through Saturday.

Friday and Saturday have an array of topics and speakers focusing on three themes; backyard landscaping, conservation and ecology, and scientific research.  Friday’s session opens with our keynote speaker, Janisse Ray, who is a naturalist, environmental activist and author of Ecology of a Cracker Childhood and Wild Card Quilt.  Saturday’s keynote speaker is William Cullina, Nursery Director for the New England Wildflower Society.  The NEWFS offers the largest public native plant education program in America as they own and manage eight sanctuaries in four New England states. 

A native plant sale will bring native plants from nurseries throughout the state to one location. Educational exhibits and vendors of horticultural products, books and artwork will also be offered on Friday and Saturday. The plant sale, exhibits, and vendors will be open to conference attendees and the general public.

Gainesville is an outstanding venue for this conference.  It is home to many leading experts in botany, horticulture, ecology, and other natural sciences who are enthusiastic about speaking, leading field trips, and conducting workshops for the conference.  Gainesville and the surrounding areas have a diverse landscape unique to Florida.  Field trips and independent exploration are easily accessible from the Hilton, University of Florida Conference Center Hotel.  The Hilton UFCC Hotel is the new premier conference location in Gainesville, within walking distance of Florida Museum of Natural History, Harn Art Museum, Lake Alice, and University of Florida campus.  Conference participants will find that these museums and University facilities have undergone major expansions adding restaurants, natural area parks, and other services for visitors since the Paynes Prairie Chapter last hosted the annual conference 10 years ago.

Members of the Florida Native Plant Society invite all persons interested in learning about the conservation of Florida’s fragile ecosystems to join us for this conference.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Claudia Larsen and Charlie Pedersen

Conference Co-Chairs, Paynes Prairie Chapter