April 1–4, 2027

"A Living Mosaic: Connecting People, Plants & Places"

This year's conference is four days of immersive programming — from hands-on workshops and field trips to inspiring speakers, a bustling native plant sale, and unforgettable evening socials. Here's a general overview of what to expect each day. Full session details will be added as they are confirmed.

Please note: this schedule is tentative and subject to change.

Wednesday, March 31 — Arrival & Welcome

Conference registration opens Wednesday afternoon, giving early arrivers time to get settled before the fun begins. Cap off the evening at our Opening Reception — S'mores at Shores — on the beachside terrace, where you'll find firepits, drinks, food, and the warm first-night energy that makes FNPS gatherings so special. This event is free and included with registration.

Thursday, April 1 — Field Trips & Workshops

Thursday is for getting out and getting your hands dirty. Field trips depart in the morning, taking participants into Florida's remarkable landscapes for guided exploration. Back at the hotel, workshops run throughout the day covering topics from native landscaping to foraging with families to the art of pine needle basketry.

In the evening, join us for a social at historic Cracker Creek, a quintessentially Florida evening beneath the cypress canopy.

Friday, April 2 — Main Conference Day

The heart of the conference. Friday opens with a general assembly welcome, followed by a full day of featured presentations and breakout sessions spanning current issues in conservation, restoration, and native plant research. Browse the Native Plant Sale and Silent Auction, then gather for lunch - which includes author book signings and other special activities.

The day closes with a featured afternoon speaker, the Plant ID Contest, and our Conference Banquet - a celebratory evening honoring our community and the work we do together along with an amazing keynote speaker (TBD).

Saturday, April 3 — Main Conference Day

Saturday brings another full morning of breakout sessions and featured speakers, along with the Annual Meeting, Palmetto Awards, and a free outdoor "Tour de Plants" walk through the plant sale. The afternoon wraps up with final sessions, closing remarks, and a chance to collect your Silent Auction winnings.

In the evening, join us for our closing social at the Marine Discovery Center, home to an FNPS Award-winning demonstration garden.

A second round of field trips departs Sunday morning for those extending their stay, the perfect way to end the conference week out in the field.

Sunday, April 4 — Field Trips & Farewell

One last morning in the field. Sunday's field trips offer a perfect sendoff - a chance to step away from the hotel and back into the Florida landscapes that brought us all together in the first place. Depart with fellow plant enthusiasts, guided by knowledgeable leaders into some of the region's most remarkable natural areas.

Then it's time to head home  until we meet again in 2029.

Full session listings, speaker announcements, and field trip details coming soon.

Thursday, April 1 & Sunday, April 4, 2027

No conference celebrates Florida's natural world quite like ours - and our field trips are proof. This year we're heading out into the landscape on two separate days, giving you the chance to experience Florida's native ecosystems up close, in the company of knowledgeable guides and fellow plant enthusiasts.

Field trip destinations, leaders, and registration details are coming soon. Spots will be limited, so keep an eye on this page and your inbox as these fill fast!

Check back soon for the full field trip lineup.

Step-by-Step Native Landscaping with Marjorie Shropshire 

Ready to transform your yard? Join Marjorie Shropshire for a practical, approachable guide to designing and planting a native landscape from the ground up. Whether you're starting fresh or refining what you have, this workshop gives you the tools and confidence to take the next step.

A is for Acorn: The ABC's of Foraging with Children and Families with Christina Hunt 

Spark a love of native plants in the next generation! Christina Hunt leads this engaging, family-friendly workshop exploring the basics of foraging with kids. Fun, educational, and rooted in Florida's natural bounty. This one is not to be missed for parents, educators, and anyone who loves introducing young people to the natural world.

Pine Needle Basketry with Judy Bradley 

Slow down and make something beautiful. Judy Bradley guides participants through the ancient and meditative craft of pine needle basketry, a tradition with deep roots in the Florida landscape. Leave with a handmade creation and a new appreciation for one of our most abundant native materials.

Landscaping for Pollinators with Jessica Sullivan and Rachel Mallinger 

Bees, butterflies, and beyond. This workshop dives into the art and science of designing landscapes that support pollinators. Jessica Sullivan and Rachel Mallinger share research-backed strategies and plant selections to help you create a yard that hums with life.

Some of the best moments at #FNPSConference happen outside the sessions. This year's social lineup takes full advantage of the place, the people, and the magic of gathering with your Florida native plant community.

Opening Social, Wednesday

Start the conference the way all good things should start - around a fire with friends, old and new. Join us at the hotel for our opening social, complete with s'mores and the kind of easy, warm conversation that sets the tone for a wonderful week. Come as you are. Leave smelling like campfire and salt spray.

Cracker Creek Social, Thursday

There's no better backdrop for a Florida evening than Cracker Creek. This historic site - with its cypress canopy, winding waterways, and old-Florida character - is the setting for one of our most anticipated socials of the week. Come for the scenery, stay for the company.

Conference Banquet

The FNPS Annual Banquet is a beloved conference tradition, an evening of celebration, community, and recognition of the individuals and projects making a lasting difference for Florida's native plants. Join us for a memorable night honoring the best of our community and a spectacular keynote speaker (TBD).

Marine Discovery Center Social

This social doubles as an experience. We're gathering at the Marine Discovery Center, home to a demonstration garden that earned an FNPS Award of Excellence, brought to life by the beloved conference host chapter, Pawpaw. Come see what inspired, community-rooted native plant stewardship looks like in person, and raise a glass to the people who make it happen.

Registration & Pricing

Whether you're joining us for the full conference experience or just a day, there's a registration option for you. We're pleased to announce that we're holding the line on pricing; rates for 2027 are the same as 2025. Read on for full pricing details and don't miss our early bird rate!

🐦 Early Bird Discount

Register by January 10, 2027 to lock in your early bird rate and save $50 on full two-day in-person registration.

Registration

• In-Person Registration — 2 Days (Early Bird) $200
• In-Person Registration — 2 Days (Regular) $250
• In-Person Registration — 1 Day $150
• Virtual Conference Registration $60
• Student Registration $45

Add-Ons

Workshops — $25 per workshop

Hands-on workshop sessions are available as an add-on to your registration. See the Workshops tab for full descriptions and leaders.

Field Trips — Pricing TBD

Field trips take place Thursday, April 1 and Sunday, April 4. Pricing and destinations coming soon. See the Field Trips tab for details.

Conference Socials

• Opening S'mores Social (Wednesday Evening) included with registration
• Marine Discovery Center Social $35
• Cracker Creek Social $35
• Conference Banquet $65

Questions about registration? Contact us at info@fnps.org

Your favorite native plant books, signed, in person, by the people who wrote them.

We're thrilled to announce that this year's conference will feature book signings with some of the most celebrated authors in the native plant world. Who's coming? We'll be revealing the full lineup soon. 

Authors to be announced. Stay tuned.

Shores Resort & Spa

The venue will be the beautiful Shores Resort & Spa. Located right on the ocean, it offers fantastic views and a pledge to sustainability. Certified by FL DEP as a Florida Green Lodging, they are also a member of the Coastal Connections Partnership to provide safe beaches for sea turtles. They offer two EV charging stations at the resort, free WiFi, morning beach yoga, monthly sunset sound bath sessions, complimentary bike rentals, bocce ball, pickleball, tennis courts, shuffleboard, an on-site arcade, and more. There are also pet friendly lodging options. If you want to experience their many amenities and relax before or after the conference, they’ve agreed to extend the room pricing up to 3 days before or afterwards, depending on space availability.

We have secured discounted rooms with no resort fee and a reduced parking rate of $15 per day. Starting April 1st, 2026 you may save your spot by calling 866-934-7467 (offer expires March 3, 2027). Identify yourself as part of the Florida Native Plant Society group, your requested room/bed type (i.e. king or double/double, beach or Intracoastal view), and check-in and check-out dates. Any requests for special room arrangements must be made at the time of this call. We ran out of our allotted rooms in Gainesville and the best rooms may go quickly, so plan ahead. 

Conference rate is good for 3 days before and after the conference.

Location: The Shores Resort & Spa

Reservation Number: 866-934-7467

Address: 2637 South Atlantic Avenue, Daytona Beach Shores

Total Rooms Reserved for the Conference: 465

Camping

If camping, there are private campgrounds nearby and Tomoka State Park or Canaveral National Seashore about a half an hour away.

Share your products, services, and mission with one of Florida's most passionate and engaged native plant communities. The FNPS Annual Conference brings together hundreds of dedicated plant enthusiasts, conservationists, gardeners, and professionals from across the state. 

Vendor Details

Fee: $100 per vendor space

Available Spots: Only 10 — spaces are limited and fill quickly

Vendor spaces are located in the Atlantic Room on the 11th floor. Setup begins Thursday, April 2, with foot traffic throughout Friday and Saturday.

Who Should Exhibit?

We welcome vendors whose work aligns with native plants, Florida ecology, conservation, sustainable gardening, and related fields. Whether you're a nursery, a publisher, a conservation organization, or an artisan, if your work speaks to our community, we want you in the room!

Reserve Your Spot

With only 10 vendor spaces available, we encourage you to register early.

Questions? Contact us at info@fnps.org

Looking for your next favorite Florida native? Our conference plant sale is a beloved highlight of the FNPS Conference. Our native plant sales are one of a kind - a bustling outdoor marketplace where you'll find an incredible selection of native plants brought together by passionate growers from across the state.

For Shoppers

The Native Plant Sale runs Friday and Saturday of the conference, giving you two days to browse, discover, and bring home something special. Whether you're filling in a garden bed, starting a pollinator patch, or hunting for that one hard-to-find species, this is the place to be.

Sale hours and full details coming soon.

For Growers — Secure Your Spot

Are you an FNPS member nursery or grower? We invite you to join us as a plant sale vendor and put your plants in front of one of Florida's most knowledgeable and enthusiastic native plant audiences.

Registration fee: Free

Available spots: Only 7 — reserve early!

Eligibility: Open to FNPS member nurseries and growers

Additional details on space specifications coming soon.

Questions? Contact us at info@fnps.org

One of the most exciting traditions at the FNPS Annual Conference, the silent auction brings together an incredible array of items all in support of Florida's native plants and the work we do to protect them. Browse, bid, and bring home something special while directly fueling FNPS's conservation, education, and advocacy.

The silent auction runs Friday and Saturday in the Atlantic Room on the 11th floor. Winning items may be picked up starting at 4:30 pm on Saturday.

Donate an Item

Have something to contribute? Donating to the silent auction is a meaningful way to support FNPS while connecting your name or organization to Florida's most passionate native plant community. Donors are recognized on the auction page and in the official conference program, reaching 450+ attendees.

We accept:

• Art, photography, and handcrafted items including jewelry
• Nature and outdoor experiences
• Books and field guides — new, signed, first edition, out of print, or used in good condition
• Gift certificates for restaurants, lodging, and experiences
• Landscape and garden services
• Spa, wellness, and personal care products or baskets
• Florida-made goods and specialty items
• Native plants, seeds, and gardening supplies

Minimum donation value: $25

December 1, 2026 to be guaranteed recognition in the conference program. All donations can be made anonymously as well.

To commit a donation or arrange delivery, contact Jenny Welch at flnaturegirl@yahoo.com or Athena Phillips at conferencechair@fnps.org.

Questions? Contact us at info@fnps.org

What's Available

Our online store features a curated selection of quality items including:

• T-shirts — support our visibility and our mission work
• Hats — including field-friendly styles in FNPS orange, perfect for your next plant adventure in the wild
• Mugs — for the native plant enthusiast who runs on coffee and field guides
• Conference merchandise — exclusive "A Living Mosaic" items commemorating the 44th FNPS Conference
• And more — additional quality products for the Florida naturalist in your life

Shop Online

All merchandise is available exclusively through our online store. Nothing will be sold on site at the conference, so we encourage you to shop early and arrive in style.

Purchase your FNPS merchandise before the conference to signal to like-minded plant enthusiasts that you are part of our community!

Proceeds support FNPS's conservation, education, and advocacy work across Florida.

The FNPS Conference is unlike any other event in Florida's conservation landscape. For four days, we bring together the people who are most passionate about, and most influential in, the future of Florida's native plants: scientists, land managers, horticulturalists, educators, advocates, nursery professionals, and community leaders from across the state.

When you sponsor the FNPS Conference, you're not buying ad space. You're planting your flag in a community that genuinely cares, with an audience that pays attention, takes action, and remembers who showed up for Florida's natural heritage.

Your sponsorship also goes directly to work. FNPS's mission to conserve, preserve, and restore Florida's native plants and their natural communities is carried out every day across 34 chapters statewide through plant rescues, habitat restoration, citizen science, policy advocacy, and community education. Conference sponsorship helps sustain that work year-round.

This is targeted, meaningful, mission-aligned visibility before, during, and long after the conference ends.

Questions? Contact us at info@fnps.org