Society News
Society's Advocacy Made a Difference: Wrap Up of 2013 Legislative Session
Thanks to the persistent efforts of our members - especially those who are part of the Action Alert network - we were able to make a significant difference in the outcome of the 2013 session of the Florida Legislature. More funding will be dedicated to land conservation than during any of the preceding 4 years, several horrible bills were stopped dead in their tracks, and some of the worst elements of House Bill 999 and Senate Bill 1684 were removed during the final moments of the session. We are grateful for the dedication of our members and their willingness to speak up for natural resource protection and conservation in Florida - and in the process, you helped ensure a more secure future for Florida's native plants and native plant communities.
Florida Forever is slated to receive $70 million in funding over the next year. Those funds come with some strings attached - $10 million must be directed towards the purchase of lands that buffer military bases and $50 million must come from the sale of existing conservation lands that are deemed to no longer be needed for conservation purposes. The lands buffering military bases may, or may not, have meaningful conservation value. And although previous purchases of conservation land have doubtless included some land areas with little conservation value that could reasonably be deemed "surplus", it is debatable whether there are enough such lands to generate $50 million if sold back into private ownership. But that is another battle for another day, and FNPS is actively following the ongoing assessments to identify surplus land. Another $11 million have been allocated to purchase conservation easements over agricultural lands through the Rural and Family Lands Program administered by the Florida Forestry Service. These funding levels represent progress, and we will work again next year for even more!
Our Action Alerts issued during the closing days of the session described the list of horrors included in House Bill 999 and Senate Bill 1684. During the final hours on the last day of the legislative session, two of the worst provisions were removed from the bills as a result of citizens voicing their concerns. Those provisions would have preeempted the ability of local governments to adopt restrictions on the use of the fertilizers that are choking our rivers, lakes, estuaries and springs with nutrient pollution, and would have exempted water control districts from wetland protection regulations and imperiled wetlands across more than 1 million Florida acres. We must also recognize the leadership of former Governor Bob Graham, who lobbied strongly against these provisions. We were in good company, working in concert with the Florida Conservation Coalition, Florida Audubon, and other advocates for natural Florida.
Bob Egolf
It is with great regret that we announce the death of one of our most cherished leaders, Bob Egolf. Bob (full name Robert William Egolf) died on Friday April 5, 2013. Bob was FNPS President from May 2004 to May 2006.
It was a privilege to serve with Bob on the FNPS board for so many years. His passion for both the Society and it's mission were evident to everyone who met him. What always impressed us most was his kindness, and the thoughtful way he tried to foster consensus by considering all sides of each issue. When others focussed on making their opinion heard, Bob sought to get to the heart of the matter. The Society, and consequently Florida, benefitted from his quiet wisdom.
Bob is survived by his wife Trish (Patricia), a brother, a son, two daughters, and 7 grandchildren. He battled cancer for a year and a half. He was 71 years old.
Like many of us, Bob was a Florida import. Before moving to Sarasota, he lived in Pennsylvania, Ohio and North Carolina, eventually moving to Florida when transferred to Sarasota by his employer, Eaton Corporation. Despite all of the moving about the country he did in his life, it was the West Coast of Florida that truly became his home, and he lived in Sarasota for the last 32 years of his life. The preservation of the natural beauty, flora and fauna of the area became his passion.
Always an avid gardener, Bob was interested in native plants and xeriscaping prior to his retirement. Once retired, however, he became truly dedicated to spreading the gospel of native landscaping and natural resource preservation as he embarked on various gardening and horticultural certification and training programs.
Bob became a dedicated and devoted member of the Florida Native Plant Society, serving his chapter (Serenoa) and on the FNPS Board of Directors (as Serenoa Chapter Representative 2001, VP of Administration 2002-2004, Publications Chair 2006-2007, and President) for many years culminating in a two-year term as our Society president (May 2004-May 2006). Bob received a Silver Palmetto award in 2008.
As President, Bob brought unique qualities and a methodical thinking process from his career as an engineer in combination with his love of native plants. He brought these qualities to his roles in the society, changing it and growing it as he did so. While VP of Administration and in conjunction with FNPS president Kim Zarillo, Bob led the first strategic planning process facilitated by an outside planning expert. It was held at Archbold Biological Station in February 2003, setting the stage for the February Board of Directors retreats that have followed. Facilitated by Dr. Russ Kitching, the retreat resulted in ideas to grow the Society in effectiveness and numbers. Bob constantly worked to increase FNPS’ ability to forward our mission, the protection, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida. While he was VP of Administration, we hired our first lobbyist, David Gluckman, who provided the Society with his newsletter that provided updates from the legislative sessions in Tallahassee. These beginnings have led to future planning sessions, hiring of a more active lobbyist, and several training programs intended to teach Society and chapter leadership how to influence the political system to forward our mission (the first one was held during his presidency).
Bob also pushed for FNPS to hire an executive director. I think I can speak for all Society presidents and conference chairs who have followed Bob in expressing gratitude for his initiative in this area. While an all-volunteer society is a wonderful ideal, having professionals who can support the mission on a steady basis makes a huge difference. Having an executive director has made it easier for a broader array of environmental professionals to be able to handle the presidency and has eased the task of putting on our annual conference.
Bob also supported a planned giving program (spearheaded by Travis MacClendon), shifted the FNPS publications committee from selling books to providing sources of native plant information for other media, predominantly newspapers, and provided moral support and coaching for future FNPS presidents. Our Administrative Services contractor (Cammie Donaldson) remembers and appreciates Bob for his consideration, dedication, and attention to detail.
In his chapter, Bob served on the Serenoa Chapter Board of Directors for years and as president and as the Serenoa Chapter Representative in 2001.
His passion for gardening, preserving native landscapes and natural resources led Bob to be a continuous learner. He became certified as a Master Gardener in 2002 and later became a Master Naturalist. Through the Florida Extension Service’s Horticulture Program, he volunteered every Friday for 6 hours a day, year after year, answering questions and helping to teach local gardeners about native plants, “Florida-Friendly” gardening and yard principles, and the importance of native landscaping to the greater natural world. He was a “yard advisor” to help recognize and designate “Florida Friendly Landscapes” and he started the Extension’s Nature Hikes at the Rye Preserve He also was a valuable member of the City of Bradenton's Tree and Land Preservation Board from 2005 to 2012 as the Extension Service’s representative. He provided expertise in best management practices of trees and the City's urban forest.
All this, and along the way, Bob was a devoted husband, raised three children, was active in his church, and a leader with United Way of Manatee County !
The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Florida Native Plant Society or Tidewell Hospice.
It was a privilege to serve with Bob on the FNPS board for so many years. His passion for both the Society and it's mission were evident to everyone who met him. What always impressed us most was his kindness, and the thoughtful way he tried to foster consensus by considering all sides of each issue. When others focussed on making their opinion heard, Bob sought to get to the heart of the matter. The Society, and consequently Florida, benefitted from his quiet wisdom.
Our gratitude to Bob’s family for loaning him to FNPS for so many wonderful years. He will be missed.
--- Shirley Denton, Steve Woodmanse, Dave Feagles, Cindy Liberton and all others who had the pleasure of working closely with Bob
Florida Legislature Supports More Funding for Native Wildflowers - After Support From FNPS and FANN
FNPS submitted a letter of support for Senate Bill 632 on behalf of our friends and partners at the Florida Wildflower Foundation (use the link below to see our letter). The bill proposed increasing the user fee for the Florida Wildflower license plate from $15 to $25 in order to bring it into conformity with the cost of other specialty license plates and in the process generate more funding for FWF's wildflower grants, roadside beautification projects, educational campaigns, and other good works. The situation appeared dire after the House passed the bill unanimously but it continued to languish in the Senate, with no indication it would ever be brought to a vote. Then it passed the Senate on the last day of the session! - thanks largely to a concerted effort by FNPS, FANN, and others, including some targeted lobbying efforts by our own Eleanor Dietrich. We also extend a thank you to Buddy MacKay who spoke up for passage, and must recognize Rep. John Wood, who sponsored the legislation in honor of his late mother who helped initiate the state's wildflower planting program; Reps Goodson and Vasilinda for serving as co-sponsors; Senator Soto who sponsored the Senate version of the bill; and Senate President Don Gaetz for putting the bill up for passage in the waning moments of the session, when it would have been easy to overlook it. Another upside according to FWF Executive Director Lisa Roberts: the Florida Legislature now knows a lot more about the benefits of native plants and about the work our organizations are doing! Congrats to FWF.
