We Fight for Florida's Future:

Providing CPR for Native Plants since 1980

On July 18, 2026, members from across the state joined us for the Florida Native Plant Society's Annual Member Meeting, marking 46 years of conserving, preserving, and restoring Florida's native plants and the habitats they support. It was a chance to celebrate a record-breaking year, recognize the members and volunteers who make our work possible, and look ahead to what's next.

Check out the Meeting Slides, featuring our Photo Contest Winners!

A Year of Growth

FNPS members and chapters put in an extraordinary amount of work in 2025 and early 2026. A few numbers that stood out: Nearly 87,000 hours of volunteer service were logged in 2025 - an estimated value of almost $3 million - with 94 percent of those hours contributed by our chapters. Our annual conference drew an all-time record of 457 registrants. The Society now counts 33 chapters plus a new UF student club, including two brand-new chapters, Beluthahatchee and Highlands. Our digital reach kept growing too, with more than 1.4 million website visits and over 58,000 Facebook followers, all supported by four dedicated professional staffers. And in the field, North FL Program Director Lilly Anderson-Messec's work with Torreya was published in the American Journal of Botany.

The Council of Chapters also held its first retreat at Archbold Biological Station in February 2026, bringing chapter leaders together to build community, share resources, and support one another - with another retreat already being planned.

Introducing Our Updated Mission Statement

One of the most meaningful outcomes of this year's meeting was a refreshed Mission Statement. Our Bylaws Committee, Board of Directors, Council of Chapters, and chapters across the state spent months discussing what our mission should say, and how it should say it. Here's what came out of those conversations:

"To conserve, preserve and restore Florida's native plants and their habitats through science-based education, research, advocacy, horticulture, landscaping, and engaged participation by our members and communities."

The new statement is built around three parts:

1. Our motto - what we stand for: to conserve, preserve, and restore Florida's native plants and their habitats.
2. What we do: science-based education, research, advocacy, horticulture, and landscaping.
3. How we do it: through the engaged participation of our members and communities.

This isn't just a wording update. It reflects who FNPS is today: a statewide network of 33 chapters, a UF student club, professional staff, and thousands of members and volunteers working together on conservation, education, and advocacy. It's a mission built to grow with us as we take on new initiatives like the Native Habitat Certification Program and the Core Chapter model.

Policy and Advocacy Wins

Our Policy and Legislation Committee - Lynn Artz, Joan Bausch, Susan Carr, Chadd Charland, Sara Delessio, Eugene Kelly, David Perkey, Winnie Said, and Melissa Fernandez (Ex Officio), with Government Affairs Consultant Travis Moore - had a busy and successful 2026 legislative session. Here's where FNPS advocacy made a difference:

• Passed: Coastal Resilience (SB 302, Sen. Garcia): promotes nature-based (native plant based) approaches to prevent coastal erosion and requires the state to provide guidelines.
• Passed: Conservation Lands (HB 441): requires 30 days' advance public notice and comment before any future proposal to "swap" state-owned conservation land for development.
• Stopped: "Blue Ribbon Projects" (SB 354, Sen. McClain): would have allowed large (15,000+ acre) development projects to bypass local regulations.
• Secured $216,000 in the 2026–2027 budget for Endangered and Threatened Native Flora Conservation Grants.
• Stopped: Cattle Grazing on State Lands (HB 1421): through collaboration with Rep. Lindsay Cross and the Florida Springs Council, the bill was amended to require consideration of ecological and recreational constraints; it passed the House but failed in the Senate.
• Passed, then vetoed: Biosolids (HB 1245): would have required land applications of Class AA biosolids to stay within a pasture or crop's nutrient uptake capacity.
• Passed the Senate but denied a final floor vote: Tributaries of the St. Johns River (SB 1066): would have required FDEP to develop a restoration plan for the Ocklawaha River and create a Northeast Florida River and Springs advisory council.
• Changed the Central Polk Parkway East Extension alignment following FNPS pressure, protecting the only natural population of Blushing Scrub Balm.
• Opposed construction of the Alligator Alcatraz detention center.
• Opposed development of the SR70-to-SR66 expressway over its projected impacts on imperiled plant species and habitats.
• Supported local moratoria on data centers and is working with select legislators toward comprehensive statewide regulations.
• Supported local land conservation programs, including Volusia Forever and the proposed Ridge to River referendum in Highlands County.

The fight isn't over: Florida Forever was denied new state funding despite the statutory $100 million minimum, and Ocklawaha River restoration was blocked again - both fights continue into 2027. FNPS is also positioned to partner with incoming legislative leadership on conservation easement protections and data center regulations. This is exactly why our Policy and Legislation Committee is running its first-ever targeted summer fund drive - to keep this advocacy work funded and effective going into next session.

Grants Awarded in 2026

FNPS-funded research and conservation grants continue to advance native plant science across the state:

1. Conservation Grant, Main Award - Rosi Mullholland: Seed collection, propagation, and planting of Warea amplexifolia in Lake County, in collaboration with FNPS volunteers, private landowners, Bok Tower Gardens, and the St. Johns River Water Management District.
2. Conservation Grant, Partial Award - Thomas Green: Third year of controlling woody species in wet areas of Point Washington State Park.
3. Barbara Grigg Grant - Dr. Weston Testo, Department of Plant Biology, University of Vermont: Studying the evolutionary origins, genetic diversity, and conservation status of the endemic Florida spleenwort, Asplenium plenum, a rare fern known from only a handful of populations in Sumter and Citrus counties.
4. Research Grant Award - Amy Faivre, Ph.D., Cedar Crest College: Measuring population genetic diversity and reproductive biology of threatened Clitoria fragrans (pigeon wings), a Florida endemic.
5. Research Grant Award - Alassane Sow, University of Florida: Investigating the range, emergence, and evolution of Parvodontia relampaga, a recently described fungal pathogen affecting Torreya taxifolia, Taxus floridana, and other native species.
6. Research Grant Award - Luke Sparreo, New York Botanical Garden: Studying the systematics of North American pitcher plants (Sarracenia) and their symbiotic mites (Sarraceniopus) for insight into coevolutionary relationships.

Thank you to the Sea Rocket Chapter for providing a $500 donation to the endowment this year, and to everyone who has contributed to the FNPS Endowment over the years to make these awards possible. And thank you to the Citrus Chapter for providing a $500 donation to the Conservation Fund this year.

2026 Green Palmetto and Silver Palmetto Awardees

Each year, FNPS recognizes the members whose work exemplifies our mission. This year's honorees:

Conservation

1. David Roddenberry, Sarracenia Chapter: for leading groundcover restoration of a longleaf pine-wiregrass sandhill community at Bald Point State Park, and for decades of plant rescues, surveys, and conservation work across Wakulla and Franklin counties.
2. Sterling Herron, Highlands Chapter: for research and conservation translocation work on endangered species like the Florida ziziphus and Avon Park harebells at Archbold Biological Station, his role as founding Vice President of the new Highlands Chapter, and his mentorship of nearly two dozen interns and research assistants.

Education

1. Andrea Andersen, Pinellas Chapter: for her leadership as Vice Chair of the Council of Chapters and for creating the Florida Native Plant Steward Certification Program, a statewide initiative training new stewards, advocates, and future chapter leaders.
2. Maggie Ulman, Martin County Chapter: for her leadership as Council of Chapters Secretary, founding the Students Against Invasive Species Group, and logging 582 volunteer hours driving conservation education and outreach as a high school student. (Congratulations to Maggie, who is headed to Duke University this fall!)

Service

1. Melanie L. Cave, Tarflower Chapter: for rare-plant salvage and sandhill restoration work at Oakland Nature Preserve and Bill Frederick/Turkey Lake Park.
2. Spencer Bennett, Tarflower Chapter: for service and leadership supporting native plant education and community engagement.
3. Lynn Artz, Sarracenia Chapter: a steady voice and driving force for Florida's native plants and conservation community.
4. Barbara Seibel, Mangrove Chapter: for over 13 years coordinating a monthly plant survey at Cedar Point Environmental Park in Charlotte County, while mentoring volunteers and sharing her native plant identification expertise.
5. Pam Hopkins, Martin County Chapter: in recognition of decades of service, educational outreach, scientific contributions, and unwavering commitment to Florida's native plants.
6. Virginia Overstreet, Suncoast Chapter: for 10 years of service and outstanding dedication to Florida's native plants and the Suncoast Chapter.
7. Rhonda Hoeckley, Sweetbay Chapter: as Sweetbay president for the past two years, for tireless service that grew membership, inspired new volunteers, added a new public native garden, and brought creativity and fun to the chapter's mission.

Emerging Leaders Under 30

1. Nel Calhoun, Nature Coast Chapter: serving as youth ambassador on the Nature Coast board, with a special focus on the Wesley Chapel District Park Demo Garden, which they now co-lead volunteer days for.
2. Benton Willis, Paynes Prairie Chapter: for bringing technical innovation, social media growth, and new members to the chapter, all while working as a curator at UF's mycological herbarium and completing a Ph.D. project in Plant Pathology.

Outstanding Chapter of the Year

1. Paynes Prairie Chapter: recognized for developing the Core Chapter model with FNPS leadership, a streamlined onboarding framework that has already helped launch two new chapters, Beluthahatchee and Highlands, in 2026.

Mentor Award

1. Dr. Ann Johnson: for career-long contributions to Florida's native plant communities, including decades on the Magnolia Chapter board, maintaining the chapter's Native Plant Garden at Maclay Gardens State Park, and her work as a field botanist with the Florida Natural Areas Inventory.
2. Cammie Donaldson: a driving influence across Florida's native plant organizations, including FNPS, the Florida Wildflower Foundation, FANN, and the Native Plant Horticulture Foundation, with work extending to national initiatives like the USDA Specialty Crop Program.

Silver Palmetto Award

1. Dr. Gage LaPierre: for leading formation of the FL Native Seed Partnership, co-authoring the Florida Meadow Manual, organizing the Groundcover Restoration and Enhancement Workshop (GREW), and his work as founder/manager of the UF Native Plant Nursery.
2. Rebekah Kaufmann: for revitalizing the Council of Chapters as Chair, driving major increases in meeting attendance and participation, improving communication between the Council and Board, and helping organize the Board and Council retreat.

Congratulations to all of this year's honorees, and thank you for everything you do for Florida's native plants.

New Board Members Elected for 2026-2028

Members also elected new board leadership for the 2026-2028 term, with strong support:

1. Secretary - Melanie Trexler (Sarracenia): elected, 100% yes (75 responses).
2. Director at Large - Paul Schmalzer (Sea Rocket): elected, 98.6% yes (74 responses).
3. Director at Large - Andrea Andersen (Pinellas): elected, 98.6% yes (73 responses).
4. Director at Large - Christopher Goettlieb (Pinellas): elected, 98.6% yes (74 responses).
5. Director at Large - Rhonda Hoeckley (Sweetbay): elected, 100% yes (72 responses).
6. Director at Large - Alyssa Sferrazza (Sea Rocket): elected, 100% yes (70 responses).
7. Director at Large - Kristen Young (Paynes Prairie): elected, 98.6% yes (72 responses).

Congratulations to our newly elected board members, and thank you to everyone who cast a ballot.

Bylaws Revisions Approved by the Membership

Members also voted on four proposed changes to the FNPS bylaws during the meeting, and all four passed by a wide margin (75 responses each):

1. Administrative Changes and Updates (Articles 1; 2; 3.A, C, F(4); 4; 6-7; 8.A(1)(4), B(3); 9; 11-12; 14-18): approved, 97.3% yes.
2. Chapters-related changes (Article 10): approved, 98.7% yes.
3. New Dispute Resolution Article (Articles 3.D(3)(4); 13): approved, 97.3% yes.
4. Notice Requirements (Articles 8.A(3), B.(1), C(1)): approved, 98.7% yes.

Thank you to everyone who voted and to the Governance ad hoc Bylaws Committee - Ann Redmond (chair), Athena Phillips, Chris Moran, Gage LaPierre, John Benton, Melanie Trexler, and Susan Earley - for their work developing these updates.

What's Next for FNPS

Looking ahead, there's a lot in motion: an updated Mission Statement: to conserve, preserve and restore Florida's native plants and their habitats through science-based education, research, advocacy, horticulture, landscaping, and engaged participation by our members and communities - a new Native Habitat Certification Program in development for home landscapes, new Business Membership tiers, a growing internship program, and proposed bylaws revisions (including a new Core Chapter structure) up for member vote. And save the date: the 2027 State Conference heads to the Shores Resort & Spa in Daytona Beach, April 1–4, 2027, hosted by the Pawpaw Chapter.

Ways to Get Involved

Our work is only possible because of members like you. Here are ways to plug in this summer - add your links for each:

• Become a member: join or renew your FNPS membership.
• Donate to the Policy & Legislation Fund: support our first-ever targeted summer fund drive backing the advocacy work above.
• Give to a grant fund: Science Endowment, Conservation Grant Fund, Endangered Species Grant Fund, or Barbara Grigg Grant Fund.
• Sign up for Eco Action Alerts: help amplify our voice on threats to Florida's native plants.
• Volunteer with your local chapter: find a chapter near you and get involved locally.
• Give your time and talent: sponsor an event, donate to a silent auction, donate a car or property, or become a Land Management Review (LMR) reviewer.
• Join the Legacy Society: name FNPS in your will or estate plan through our free FreeWill partner tool.
• Become a Business Member: explore our new business membership tiers.
• Attend the 2027 State Conference: join us in Daytona Beach, April 1–4, 2027.

Thank you for being part of FNPS's 46th year - and for everything still ahead.

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