FNPS Awardees
Mentor Awardees
| Name | Chapter | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Hames | At Large | 1996 | Former Legislative/Conservation Committee Chairperson for FNPS, and foremost conservationist in FL, voted Person of the Year by Florida Environments magazine for her environmental activism. |
| Marjorie Carr | Paynes Prairie | 1997 | Awarded shortly after her death. Marjorie Harris Carr was known for her conservation work in Florida. She co-founded the Alachua Audubon Society in 1960 and co-founded Florida Defenders of the Environment in 1969. She fought to preserve the Ocklawaha River and helped halt construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, which is named in her honor. |
| Dick Deuerling | Tarflower | 1998 | For sharing his knowledge for FNPS resources for many years. |
| Bill Partington | Tarflower | 2000 | One of the founders of FNPS, its first president, and first executive director. He was a tireless supporter of a native plant society that would forward the conservation of native plants in Florida and educate the public about those plants. |
| Don Gann | Dade | 2000 | None. |
| Joyce Gann | Dade | 2000 | None. |
| Henry Whittier | Tarflower | 2002 | None. |
| Taylor Alexander, PhD | Dade | 2002 | Taylor Alexander was an out-standing botanist and plant ecologist, and an early explorer in Everglades science. He contributed to our understanding of the Everglades centered around the effects of various environmental factors, notably fire and hydrology on plant community succession. |
| Richard Wunderlin, PhD | Suncoast | 2005 | For his many years of service to FNPS, his wonderful taxonomic books for Florida, for the ISB website, and for mentoring innumerable FNPS members and students. |
| Mike Kenton | Serenoa | 2007 | Mike Kenton served the society and the Association of Florida Native Nurseries for many years, inspiring the public to use natives in landscaping, inspiring landscapers to use natives, being a nurseryman, and supporting FNPS and its members. Note: Mike is shown with Karen Frahley a friend and fellow nursery owner. The photo was taken shortly before his death. |
| Anne Cox, PhD | Conradina | 2010 | Awarded for her longterm leadership in FNPS including establishment of the Land Management Partners Committee, coordination with land management agencies and FNAI, and mentoring of FNPS leaders at all levels. |
| Nancy Bissett | Heartland | 2013 | Awarded for over 30 years of promoting the use of native plants in landscaping supporting land protection and acquisition, pioneering and supporting the restoration of native landscapes after mining, developing innovative techniques to facilitate restoration, being a strong and capabile botanist, and sharing her knowledge with her fellow FNPS members. |
| Catherine Bowman | Tarflower | 2014 | Awarded for mentorship of an intern. Beyond this, she has a long history of service to her chapter and to the Society including including the mentoring of many of her chapter members, tirelessly serving in the leadership of her chapter including a long stint as Tarflower President, implementing an award winning landscape project of her urban home, and many other things. |
| Dan Miller | Magnolia | 2014 | Awarded for over 30 years of service including tireless promotion of native plants and native plant conservation and service to his chapter that includes outreach and education. |
| Carmel VanHoek | Suncoast | 2015 | Camel is always willing and eager to impart her knowledge to others on field trips and at membership meetings. Her energy and enthusiasm is inspiring to beginning botanists and more advanced ones alike. She has mentored many people including most recently, Bunny Worth and Janet Bowers. |
| Sonya Guidry | Pawpaw | 2017 | Few people have more selflessly devoted themselves to the Florida Native Plant Society than Sonya Guidry, who contributes thousands of hours of volunteer work on the society's behalf every year. A long-standing member of the Pawpaw Chapter, she served as one of its first presidents, from 1994-1995. More than twenty years later, her hand still is frequently the first to go up when a volunteer is needed and she is just as frequently the last person to go home. |
| Shirley Denton, PhD | Suncoast | 2018 | Awarded for her service and dedication to FNPS, her infinite patience and generosity in sharing her expertise, time, and talents with the Society and our members. |
| Roger Hammer, PhD | Dade | 2019 | For his wonderful books, and mentoring of FNPS members. He is the only Florida botanist in the Society that we know of to have been granted an honorary PhD. |
| Craig Huegel | Pinellas | 2020 | Craig's long history as an advocate, educator, scientist and author working to advance the conservation and appreciation of native plants has distinguished him as a mentor to the FNPS membership. In 1987, he co-founded the Cooperative Urban Wildlife Program while serving as a member of the faculty at the University of Florida. Craig also teaches courses in plant science at St. Petersburg College, manages a native nursery, consults, and is a popular speaker. |
| Eric Menges, PhD | South Ridge | 2021 | In his time at Archbold, Eric's work has increased greatly our understanding of the ecology of Florida scrub vegetation, the population biology and demography of numerous rare and endemic scrub plants, fire ecology, conservation biology, and scrub restoration. Eric has mentored student interns, graduate students, post-doctoral students, and research associates in producing a body of work reflected in more than 150 publications. Many of his students and associates have gone on to successful careers in universities, colleges, and agencies. |
| Chris Matson | Cuplet Fern | 2023 | Chris routinely works with FNPS members across the park and on rescues, teaching and supporting them, and inspiring them to their own rescue, restoration, and propagation work across Central Florida, which is a better place thanks to his mentorship of so many. |
| Jacquelyn (Jackie) Sward |
Cuplet Fern | 2023 | Jackie Sward has been a member of the Florida Native Plant Society since and a member of the Tarflower Chapter since 1998. Ms. Sward was elected Treasurer of the Chapter from 2006 to 2007. Even though she only served a short time as Treasurer, Ms. Sward has trained every Tarflower treasurer to the present day. Her extensive knowledge of the Federal and Florida tax laws, Charitable organizations, and banking requirements has served the chapter well. Ms. Sward also took on Publicity Chair functions ensuring all monthly meetings and events were well publicized in local media as well coordinating food provided at each monthly meeting since 2008. |
| Susan Carr, PhD | Paynes Prairie | 2023 | Dr. Susan Carr is a respected and dedicated botanist who has made significant contributions to the field of native plant conservation in Florida. She has over 20 years of experience working with native plants, and her expertise is widely sought after by other scientists, land managers, and the general public. Dr. Carr is a passionate advocate for native plants, and she has been instrumental in the development of several successful conservation programs. She is also a gifted educator, and she has shared her knowledge of native plants with countless students and adults through her teaching, writing, and public presentations. |
| Ginny Stibolt | Ixia | 2024 | Ginny's lifetime of service to FNPS and native plants embodies the spirit of this award. Her dedication, expertise, and advocacy have helped shape our organization's mission and have contributed to the preservation and celebration of Florida's rich botanical heritage. ?. |
| Marlene Rodak | Coccoloba | 2024 | The impact Marlene has had on the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) can not be overstated. She is a powerhouse! Since becoming our president she has taken us from monthly meetings and scattered outreach events to partnerships with Koreshan State Park, Lee County's Department of Environmental Services, the City of Bonita Springs, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), and the Village of Estero. These collaborations are enabling us to develop a multifaceted program to inspire and educate the public about native plants and their importance. |
| Steve Woodmansee | Dade |
2025 | TBD |
| Andre Clewell | Magnolia |
2025 | TBD |
Green Palmetto Awardees
| Name | Chapter | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| David Wilson | Charlotte County | 1986 | David Wilson -- "organized a new chapter (Charlotte Harbor), and has been an excellent speaker at various conferences throughout Florida on the virtues of native plants.". |
| Georgia Tasker | Dade | 1986 | Georgia Tasker -- "... has written many articles about native plants in the Miami Herald, many of which were published by FNPS as Wild Things as well as authored the only book published by FNPS.". |
| Bill Hammond | Coccoloba | 1987 | Bill Hammond -- Published a school campus improvement guide for Lee County. |
| David Hall, PhD | Paynes Prairie | 1987 | Developed a native plant slide show. |
| Margaret Hames | Brevard | 1988 | Many activities promoting FNPS and native plants: slide shows and lectures; plant inventories for Brevard County, developers, and homeowners; analysis of ecosystems and laying out of a nature trail for Brevard County park; and native plant rescue operations. |
| Peggy Lantz | Tarflower | 1988 | Publications Committee Head, Editor of The Palmetto. |
| Steve Christman | At Large | 1988 | Research on the scrub plants of the Lake Wales Ridge. |
| Don Gann | Dade | 1989 | Many years of service to FNPS & in the promotion of native plants. |
| Elizabeth Smith | At Large | 1989 | Artwork for Planning & Planting a Native Plant Yard. |
| John Beriault | At Large | 1989 | Wrote Planning & Planting a Native Plant Yard. |
| Joyce Gann | Dade | 1989 | Many years of service to FNPS & in the promotion of native plants. |
| Rosa Durando | At Large | 1990 | The environmental watchdog on the Treasure Coast, attending governmental meetings and speaking out for conservation. |
| Ted Center | At Large | 1990 | Work on the biological control of pest plants, especially spearheading the Melaleuca Biological Control Project. |
| Craig Huegel, PhD | Pinellas | 1991 | N/A |
| Nancy Bissett | Heartland | 1991 | N/A |
| Dick Deuerling | Tarflower | 1992 | for his service to FNPS beyond the scope of his own chapter, sharing his knowledge of edible wild foods with chapters throughout the state, with Scouts, and in each issue of The Palmetto. |
| Sydney Bacchus | At Large | 1992 | for her work with wetland mitigation and sharing her knowledge with readers of The Palmetto. |
| Dan Austin, PhD | Palm Beach | 1993 | Professor of botany at FAU, for two decades as an effective educator, and his service on the Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council (FLEPPC), the&>Society for Economic Botany, and as a writer, particularly of his guides& to coastal dune plants and parks and for his work with FLEPPC. |
| Ken Alvarez | At Large | 1993 | Awareded for Service arising from his role as environmental specialist supervisor with FDEP, for encouraging prescribed burns in FL parks, for authoring a native tree numbering system, for starting native nurseries in state parks & his land acquisition efforts. |
| Chuck Salter | At Large | 1995 | For his work on native plant propagation and promotion of natives. |
| Dan Austin, PhD | Palm Beach | 1995 | For his work on the Exotic Plant Pest Council. |
| Roy Woodbury | At Large | 1995 | For his plant survey of DuPuis Reserve. |
| Barbara Waddell | At Large | 1996 | For her Brazilian pepper control efforts & producing a color brochure about the control of Brazilian pepper. |
| Dan Ward, PhD | Paynes Prairie | 1996 | Professor of botany at UF, for his work on the book 'Big Trees of Florida'. |
| Eliane Norman, PhD | At Large | 1996 | Retired Stetson University professor. For her work on native plants (notably the rare pawpaw) and native plant communities. |
| Ann Williams | Dade | 1997 | For her plant recovery efforts in the Keys. |
| Steve Bass | At Large | 1997 | For outstanding work as an environmental educator. |
| Betty Wargo | Suncoast | 1998 | Awarded for many years of service as a photographer and educator. She was also a very strong supporter of FNPS and often used her buying power at FNPS conference auctions to ensure that items would sell strongly and bring in substantial funds to support FNPS project. |
| Ken Langeland | At Large | 1998 | Manual on invasive alien pest plants. |
| Claudia Larsen, PhD | Paynes Prairie | 1999 | A founding member of the Paynes Prairie Chapter formed in 1986, and has served in leading role ever since. She organizes plant rescues, has helped FDOT create a reasonable policy for native wildflowers on roadsides, and has worked with others to create native plant demonstration sites. |
| Eric S. Menges, PhD | South Ridge | 1999 | A research scientist in the area of plant ecology & conservation at Archibold Biological Station. He has established long-term studies on most of the Lake Wales Ridge endemic plants and regularly reports his findings in peer-reviewed journals. |
| Joe Durando | Paynes Prairie | 2000 | N/A |
| Patty Phares | Dade | 2000 | N/A |
| Walter Kingsley Taylor, PhD | Tarflower | 2000 | N/A |
| Craig Huegel, PhD | Pinessas | 2001 | For his many contributions over the years, including authoring two popular FNPS books that teach and promote the native plant - animal connection. |
| Jean Daubenmire | Lake Beautyberry | 2001 | For her work as a botanist, for her research contributions in the area of natural plant communities of FL. |
| Sally Black | Palm Beach | 2001 | For her long-term service to the environment and environmental community of S. FL. |
| Bruce Hanson, PhD | Suncoast | 2002 | Given for Education. Tireless service to the Florida botanical community through his work on the Florida Plant Atlas website and the USF Herbarium. |
| Cammie Donaldson | Conradina | 2002 | Years of effort above and beyond expectations. |
| Chuck McCartney | Broward | 2002 | N/A |
| Debbie Butts | Suncoast | 2002 | FNPS secretary for many years. Active in her chapter and has been on the chapter board. |
| Jody Bonet | Lakela's Mint | 2002 | N/A |
| Shirley Petty | Hernando | 2002 | N/A |
| Hester Wagner | At Large | 2003 | N/A |
| Kathy Boon and Hester Wagner | At Large | 2003 | N/A |
| Nancy Coile | Magnolia | 2003 | Nancy Coile, PhD -- Technical. |
| Richard Moyroud | Dade | 2003 | For his work as the FNPS representative on the FDACS Endangered Plant Advisory Council. |
| Roger Hammer, PhD | Dade | 2003 | N/A |
| Jerry Shrewsbury | At Large | 2004 | N/A |
| Ray Miller | At Large | 2004 | N/A |
| Gil Nelson, PhD | Magnolia | 2005 | N/A |
| Karina Veaudry | Tarflower | 2005 | N/A |
| Paul Schmalzer, PhD | Sea Rocket | 2005 | N/A |
| Al Squires | Mangrove | 2006 | Al has represent his chapter on the FNPS Board of Directors for many years. At the time of his entry, he serves on the Council of Chapters. |
| Cynthia (Sid) Taylor | Hernando | 2006 | For her contributions to FNPS. She spent many hours researching the history of long leaf pine in Florida and shared that knowledge with FNPS members. She also led field trips, and in her job, contributed to the management of the Citrus Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. |
| Denny Girard | Mangrove | 2006 | In addition to being on the FNPS board on behalf of his chapter, he was also a a poet. |
| Karen Frahley | Serenoa | 2006 | Karen became known for her nature tours at the Manatee County Duette Preserve. She also owns a native nursery. |
| Teddy Bierly | Citrus | 2006 | N/A |
| Charles Holmes | Coccoloba | 2007 | N/A |
| JoAnne Trebatoski | Coccoloba | 2007 | For organizing and leading the earliest known foreign trips for FNPS members. |
| Martha Stuart | Conradina | 2007 | N/A |
| Peggy Gretchen | Nature Coast | 2007 | N/A |
| Carmel VanHoek | Suncoast | 2008 | Awarded for Service, especially for sharing her plant identification skills and her contributions to the plant lists of public parks and other public lands. |
| Cynthia Plockelman | Palm Beach | 2008 | Awarded for her service to her chapter including donations of native plants. She was Policy Committee Chair for FNPS for many years, and continuously advocated for smart management of Florida's natural resources. |
| Erick Smith | Paynes Prairie | 2008 | Awarded for service to his chapter including acting as its chapter representative, being a field trip leader, educating the public on the importance of native area conservation, educating on native tree biology, planting and landscape care. |
| Ron Plakke, PhD | Lake Beautyberry | 2008 | Awarded for his vision, leadership and guidance in the restoration of approximately 50 acres of land in Lake County's PEAR Park into scrub habitat. |
| Chris Trost | Coccoloba | 2009 | Awarded for Administration and Service to her chapter.. |
| Gayle Edwards | Coccoloba | 2009 | Awarded for Education and Outreach. For a decade, she indefatigably created research and demonstration landscapes for butterfly gardening at schools and parks throughout the region, educatee new residents about pest plant species and native landscape alternatives, and recruited many new members to the FNPS. |
| George Kish, PhD | Suncoast | 2009 | He has been an active member of his chapter and has been its President and Newletter editor. He has written many native plant profiles, and has become one of Florida's best known experts on phenology and the potential effects of climatic change on phenology of Florida natives. |
| Marc Godts | Tarflower | 2009 | Awarded for Service. He has a lifelong history of educating his fellow members and the public about natives, developing new means of propagating natives, and providing natives through his family nursery. |
| Bobbi Rogers | Mangrove | 2010 | Award for Service to her chapter. |
| Dan Miller | Magnolia | 2010 | Nominated for Service to his chapter, restoration of the native plant garden and MacClay Gardens State Park, and support for regional. |
| Greg Jubinski | None | 2010 | Awarded for Service, especially for his work in invasive species awarness. |
| Kathy Burks | Magnolia | 2010 | Awarded for Service including scientific research on native plants and on invasive species coupled with strong support for conservation in Florida. |
| Sonya Guidry | Pawpaw | 2010 | Awarded for service to her chapter including enthusiatic participation and leadership. |
| Trish Gramajo | None | 2010 | Awarded for service including creation of the chapter's alternatives poster, support for native plant conservtion, and invasive species awareness. |
| Gwen Burzycki | Dade | 2011 | N/A |
| Lavon Silvernell | Tarflower | 2011 | N/A |
| Loran Anderson, PhD | Magnolia | 2011 | Dr. Anderson is regarded and thanked for educating our chapter members and his many university students. |
| Nadine Foley | Lake Beautyberry | 2011 | N/A |
| Amy Hines | Longleaf Pine | 2012 | For Service to the Society including being a founder of the Longleaf Pine and Solidago Chapters. |
| Barbara Grigg | Lake Beautyberry | 2012 | Given for Education and to her efforts in support of the restoration at Pear Park (a chapter project). |
| Paul and Winn Lowry | Conradina | 2012 | The award was given for service to their chapter. |
| Danny Young | Pawpaw | 2013 | Awarded for for Service. His services include outreach projects for his chapter, participating on the FNPS land management review committee, and initiating the Pawpaw Chapter's Rugel's Roundup" in 2012. He has supported several citizen science projects intended to increase awareness of rare plants. |
| David Niemi | Palm Beach | 2013 | Awarded for his inspiration and leadership in the restoration of the Snook Islands Maritime Hardwood Hammock. |
| Ginnie Stibolt | Ixia | 2013 | Awarded for Service including major contribution to the development of the FNPS blog and Facebook sites and was a major editor of the FNPS website, especially the Native Plants for Your Area resource. She is also a native plant author, gardener, and speaker. |
| Kristi Moyer | Palm Beach | 2013 | Awarded for Service and Education especially on the use of natives in everyday landscapes and for the development of native plant demonstration gardens. She also educates through seminars and has practical knowledge about native plants in the landscape through her work as facilities manager at Pine Jog Environmental Education Center. |
| AnnMarie Loveridge | Lakela's Mint | 2014 | Presented for service including lectures, nature walks through preserves & parks, garden tours & booths at many chapter and community events which educate the public on the importance of using native plants in landscaping and on local environmental issues. |
| Eleanor Dietrich | Magnolia | 2014 | Given for Service including promotion of roadside wildflowers especially in the Florida panhandle, and providing community education and encouragement for the use of native plants in landscaping. |
| Laurie Sheldon | Ixia | 2014 | Award given for service including proofing for FNPS, service to the Ixia Chapter, and years of writing and promoting the FNPS blog, Facebook, and Twitter. |
| Linda Wilson | Manatee | 2014 | Awarded for service including chapter leadership (a past chapter treasurer and board member) and assisting with chapter outread programs. |
| Tom Heitzman | Serenova | 2014 | Given for service including serving and president of the Serenoa Chapter, promotion of the use of native plants in landscaping, and generously educating the publice. He also runs a successful native plant nursery (Sweet Bay). |
| Troy Springer | Suncoast | 2014 | Given for Service including his leadership of the 2012 Society Conference in Plant City, service to the chapter including promoting and developing chapter's spring and fall plant sales, participation in chapter leadership including being chapter president (2011-2012), and tireless support of the use of natives in landscaping. |
| Joan Bausch | Cocoplum | 2015 | Joan has not only been the backbone of the Cocoplum, Martin County Chapter of FNPS but she has also served almost continuously on the State Board since 2001/2002. She has been chapter president and the writer of the Leaf Letter, our chapter's printed news happenings. Then she became our Chapter Conservation Chair. She keeps us dutifully informed of all of the policy/legislation matters that have been arising unrelentingly. |
| Marc and Terry Godts | Lake Beautyberry | 2015 | Award for Marc and Terry Godts (Green Isle Gardens nursery) for their devotion to native plant conservation, land acquisition in Lake County, commitment to public education, and the ongoing donation of nursery space and their time to care for rescued plants until they can be reintroduced for restoration projects at protected sites. |
| Joel Jackson | Suncoast | 2016 | Joel Jackson is a founding member of the Suncoast Native Plant Society, and attended the very first meeting in 1980. He also attended FNPS's first conference, and served as Vice President of the Suncoast Chapter for two years. |
| Marjorie Holt | Tarflower | 2017 | Marjorie Holt has been very active in growth management issues around Central Florida. She has worked diligently to preserve our remaining natural lands from development, helped to conserve countless plant species and plant communities, and has helped organize numerous plant rescue and restoration projects. In her "spare time" she has created a spectacular native landscape at her home, which is often featured on native garden tours. |
| Sharon Dolan | Conradina | 2017 | And Outreach. Sharon and her husband Brent are the owners of Maple Street Natives, the only native plant nursery in south Brevard County. As such, they have been promoting the use of native plants for more than a quarter of a century. Sharon has guided many members and other native plant enthusiasts in converting their lawns to native yards and helped them in their battles with HOAs. |
| Barbara McCormick | Citrus | 2018 | Awarded for her work in educational programming. |
| Loret Thatcher | Pine Lily | 2018 | Award for Service to the Society. |
| Barbara Whittier | Cuplet Fern | 2019 | She has educated about native plants both in her chapter and in her community. She also supplies fupport for local nurseries. |
| Christine Brown | Cuplet Fern | 2019 | Botanical, organizational, and technical services to the Cuplet Fern Chapter. |
| George Rogers and John Bradford | Martin County | 2019 | For production of educational materials for the chapter. |
| Jane Higgins | Conradina | 2019 | Conradina is fortunate to have Jane as a member, Board member, tour facilitator, grant writer, and so much more. |
| Jim Buckner | Marion Big Scrub | 2019 | Jim Buckner has been a member of FNPS since 1986. He worked diligently on the FNPS Conservation Committee, especially on the project to preserve and conserve the largest remaining population of Warea amplexifolia (clasping warea). |
| John Bradford | Martin County | 2019 | For production of educational materials for the chapter. |
| Jackie Sward | Tarflower | 2020 | N/A |
| Jan Allyn | Pinellas | 2020 | N/A |
| Kathleen Poole | Cuplet Fern | 2020 | N/A |
| Marion Crim | Cuplet Fern | 2020 | N/A |
| Martha Steuart | Conradina | 2020 | N/A |
| Neta Villalobos-Bell | Cuplet Fern | 2020 | For bringing new ideas for education, and implementing them. |
| Susan Angermeier | Cuplet Fern | 2020 | N/A |
| Theresa Lutz | Heartland | 2020 | N/A |
| Damon Moore | Serenoa | 2021 | N/A |
| Jan Mangos | Cuplet Fern | 2021 | N/A |
| Kara Driscoll | Naples | 2021 | N/A |
| Kristin Sloan Brown | Cuplet Fern | 2021 | N/A |
| Stacy Klema | Cuplet Fern | 2021 | N/A |
| Thomas Walczyk | Cuplet Fern | 2021 | N/A |
| Anna Pepper | Tarflower | 2022 | N/A |
| Mable/Tina | Suncoast | 2022 | Many years as Suncoast Chapter Secretary, field trip coordinator, Lettuce Lake garden coordinator, Lettuce Lake native plant tour guide, and board member. |
| Steve Dickman | Suncoast | 2022 | Many years as field trip coordinator, board member, champion for appropriate land management, and excellent field botanist. |
| Steve Woodmansee | Dade | 2022 | Served as FNPS President during a major period of organization restructuring. Excellent field botanist. |
| Tammie Lafferty | Tarflower | 2022 | N/A |
| Al Squires | Cuplet Fern | 2023 | N/A |
| Ben Gugliotti | Tarflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Brian Silverman | Tarflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Carol Hebert | Conradina | 2023 | N/A |
| David Martin | Eugenia | 2023 | N/A |
| Jonnie Spitler | Nature Coast | 2023 | N/A |
| Julie Becker | Tarflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Laura Bennett-Kimble | At Large | 2023 | N/A |
| Mark Elliott | Paynes Prairie | 2023 | N/A |
| Meg Macaluso | Passionflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Melanie Simon | Passionflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Patricia Burgos | Lake Beautyberry | 2023 | N/A |
| Rebekah St John | Tarflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Rosi Mulholland | Tarflower | 2023 | N/A |
| Sandy Boylston | Cuplet Fern | 2023 | N/A |
| Susan Carpenter | Cuplet Fern | 2023 | N/A |
| Heather Thomas | Cuplet Fern | 2024 | Her efforts in spearheading educational initiatives, organizing plant sales, and promoting native plant communities have significantly contributed to the chapter's growth, success, and positive impact on the region. |
| Jody Wood-Putnam | Sweetbay | 2024 | "She has a fierce passion and genuine joy for native gardening and native plant preservation, and is successfully cultivating that passion and joy... through her creative educational efforts.". |
| Juston Atherton | Tarflower | 2024 | Responsible for naming FNPS as the recipient of a $15,000 grant from Cox Enterprises. |
| Mike Fite | Suncoast | 2024 | A long-standing and leading figure in Suncoast FNPS' outreaches. Instrumental in caring for Suncoast demonstration gardens and their plant festival events. |
| Susan Llorca | Sweetbay | 2024 | In recognition of her amazing hands-on work, plant contributions, and unfailing dedication supporting a very special native plant preserve, the Mary Ola Reynolds Miller Palm Preserve. Susan Llorca. |
| Jake Stowers | Pinellas |
2004 | Jake Stowers was given special recognition for Public Service. Over many years, as the Pinellas County Administrator, he was a staunch supporter of good public policy that recognized and supported conservation. © 2021 Copyright: Florida Native Plant Society. |
Chapter Green Palmetto Awardees
| Chapter | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Suncoast | 1991 | For work with FDOT on a median planting (There is a question as to whether this was awarded in 1990 or 1991). |
| Palm Beach | 1992 | For their efforts on behalf of Preservation 2000. |
| Pinellas | 1993 | For superior development, for their education activities, and for their project of landscaping the bank property and for their conference efforts. |
| Naples | 1994 | None. |
| Magnolia | 1996 | For their work in hosting the 1995 conference and installation of a native plant area at MacClay Gardens in Tallahassee. |
| Dade | 1997 | None. |
| Suncoast | 1997 | For the "Right Plants for Dry Places" book. |
| Pinellas | 1998 | For its work with teachers and the community. |
| Coccoloba | 1999 | Native habitat project at Lee County's Manatee Park & allocated most of the three years of fundraising to creating and restoring the park's native plant communities. |
| Dade | 2007 | None. |
| Hernando | 2007 | Hernando members succeeded in convincing a key legislator, from their county, to allow an extension of the sale of specialty license plates, like the FNPS Florida Native plate to be sold until 2024. Without their intervention, FNPS could possibly have lost an opportunity to have a plate and the income derived from it to do outreach, habitat restoration, conservation, and preservation. |
| Tarflower | 2008 | Given for its extensive agenda of field trips, educational programs, plant rescues, home garden tour, and education and outreach. |
| Pinellas | 2009 | For service to their community including native plant outreach, participation on a governmental advisory board, participation in "alliance for a Livable Pinellas", and production of educational materials for public education. |
| Paynes Prairie | 2011 | None. |
| Naples | 2012 | Given to the for outstanding growth in membership, improvements to infrastructure including adding a website for the, improved programs, and lots of enthusiasm. |
| Suncoast | 2013 | In recognition of its hosting of the very successful and financially profitable 2012 conference. |
| Palm Beach County | 2016 | In recognition of all the effort that went in to making 2015 a banner year in terms of fulfilling our mission and generating momentum that will continue to support growth. |
| Pawpaw | 2017 | None. |
| Conradina | 2019 | For their landscape tours, landscape certification, grant programs, and service to their members and community. |
| Dade | 2021 | None. |
| Lake Beautyberry | 2021 | None. |
| Mangrove | 2021 | None. |
| Hernando | 2022 | None. |
| Pinellas | 2022 | Pinellas members worked with the City of Dunedin and Audubon to raise $4.5 million in public funds toward the purchase of tha 44-acre property of sandhill, scrub, wetlands and the last remaining rosemary bald in the County. State Listed threatened species include: Garberia heterophylla; Nodding Pinweed (Lechea cernua) and Spreading pinweed. Threatened gopher tortoises also reside in the scrub. |
| Sarracenia | 2023 | None. |
| Tarflower | 2024 | Continued successes at Mead Botanical Gardens, partnerships with Orange County Green PLACE Program, and the City of Winter Park. |
| Coccoloba | 2025 | TBD |
Emerging Leaders Awardees
| Name | Chapter | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Carly Batts | Martin County | 2024 | Martin County newest President. Instrumental in funding local native plant garden projects and increasing local programmatic value and participation. |
| Charles LaGreca | Palm Beach | 2024 | For his exceptional teamwork, dedication, and passion for native plants demonstrated as the secretary of the Landscape Committee. |
| Kevin Lipman | Cuplet Fern | 2024 | For his contributions as an advocate for native plants and conservation, involvement in the certified burn management program, FNPS plant rescues, and co-authorship of a paper on nonprofit consulting experiences. |
| Maggie Ulman | Martin County | 2024 | Key figure in 'Students Against Invasive Species' Club at South Fork High School. Presented at the 2024 FISC Conference. Educates her peers through social media. |
| Teagan Young | Marion Big Scrub | 2024 | Her diverse contributions and achievements establish her as a valuable asset to the native plant industry, characterized by steadfast dedication to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. |
Silver Palmetto Awardees
| Name | Chapter | Year | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Margaret Hames | At Large | 1996 | Former Legislative/Conservation Committee Chairperson for FNPS, and foremost conservationist in FL, voted Person of the Year by Florida Environments magazine for her environmental activism. |
| Marjorie Carr | Paynes Prairie | 1997 | Awarded shortly after her death. Marjorie Harris Carr was known for her conservation work in Florida. She co-founded the Alachua Audubon Society in 1960 and co-founded Florida Defenders of the Environment in 1969. She fought to preserve the Ocklawaha River and helped halt construction of the Cross Florida Barge Canal, which is named in her honor. |
| Dick Deuerling | Tarflower | 1998 | For sharing his knowledge for FNPS resources for many years. |
| Bill Partington | Tarflower | 2000 | One of the founders of FNPS, its first president, and first executive director. He was a tireless supporter of a native plant society that would forward the conservation of native plants in Florida and educate the public about those plants. |
| Don Gann | Dade | 2000 | None. |
| Joyce Gann | Dade | 2000 | None. |
| Henry Whittier | Tarflower | 2002 | None. |
| Taylor Alexander, PhD | Dade | 2002 | Taylor Alexander was an out-standing botanist and plant ecologist, and an early explorer in Everglades science. He contributed to our understanding of the Everglades centered around the effects of various environmental factors, notably fire and hydrology on plant community succession. |
| Richard Wunderlin, PhD | Suncoast | 2005 | For his many years of service to FNPS, his wonderful taxonomic books for Florida, for the ISB website, and for mentoring innumerable FNPS members and students. |
| Mike Kenton | Serenoa | 2007 | Mike Kenton served the society and the Association of Florida Native Nurseries for many years, inspiring the public to use natives in landscaping, inspiring landscapers to use natives, being a nurseryman, and supporting FNPS and its members. Note: Mike is shown with Karen Frahley a friend and fellow nursery owner. The photo was taken shortly before his death. |
| Anne Cox, PhD | Conradina | 2010 | Awarded for her longterm leadership in FNPS including establishment of the Land Management Partners Committee, coordination with land management agencies and FNAI, and mentoring of FNPS leaders at all levels. |
| Nancy Bissett | Heartland | 2013 | Awarded for over 30 years of promoting the use of native plants in landscaping supporting land protection and acquisition, pioneering and supporting the restoration of native landscapes after mining, developing innovative techniques to facilitate restoration, being a strong and capabile botanist, and sharing her knowledge with her fellow FNPS members. |
| Catherine Bowman | Tarflower | 2014 | Awarded for mentorship of an intern. Beyond this, she has a long history of service to her chapter and to the Society including including the mentoring of many of her chapter members, tirelessly serving in the leadership of her chapter including a long stint as Tarflower President, implementing an award winning landscape project of her urban home, and many other things. |
| Dan Miller | Magnolia | 2014 | Awarded for over 30 years of service including tireless promotion of native plants and native plant conservation and service to his chapter that includes outreach and education. |
| Carmel VanHoek | Suncoast | 2015 | Camel is always willing and eager to impart her knowledge to others on field trips and at membership meetings. Her energy and enthusiasm is inspiring to beginning botanists and more advanced ones alike. She has mentored many people including most recently, Bunny Worth and Janet Bowers. |
| Sonya Guidry | Pawpaw | 2017 | Few people have more selflessly devoted themselves to the Florida Native Plant Society than Sonya Guidry, who contributes thousands of hours of volunteer work on the society's behalf every year. A long-standing member of the Pawpaw Chapter, she served as one of its first presidents, from 1994-1995. More than twenty years later, her hand still is frequently the first to go up when a volunteer is needed and she is just as frequently the last person to go home. |
| Shirley Denton, PhD | Suncoast | 2018 | Awarded for her service and dedication to FNPS, her infinite patience and generosity in sharing her expertise, time, and talents with the Society and our members. |
| Roger Hammer, PhD | Dade | 2019 | For his wonderful books, and mentoring of FNPS members. He is the only Florida botanist in the Society that we know of to have been granted an honorary PhD. |
| Craig Huegel | Pinellas | 2020 | Craig's long history as an advocate, educator, scientist and author working to advance the conservation and appreciation of native plants has distinguished him as a mentor to the FNPS membership. In 1987, he co-founded the Cooperative Urban Wildlife Program while serving as a member of the faculty at the University of Florida. Craig also teaches courses in plant science at St. Petersburg College, manages a native nursery, consults, and is a popular speaker. |
| Eric Menges, PhD | South Ridge | 2021 | In his time at Archbold, Eric's work has increased greatly our understanding of the ecology of Florida scrub vegetation, the population biology and demography of numerous rare and endemic scrub plants, fire ecology, conservation biology, and scrub restoration. Eric has mentored student interns, graduate students, post-doctoral students, and research associates in producing a body of work reflected in more than 150 publications. Many of his students and associates have gone on to successful careers in universities, colleges, and agencies. |
| Chris Matson | Cuplet Fern | 2023 | Chris routinely works with FNPS members across the park and on rescues, teaching and supporting them, and inspiring them to their own rescue, restoration, and propagation work across Central Florida, which is a better place thanks to his mentorship of so many. |
| Jacquelyn (Jackie) Sward |
Cuplet Fern | 2023 | Jackie Sward has been a member of the Florida Native Plant Society since and a member of the Tarflower Chapter since 1998. Ms. Sward was elected Treasurer of the Chapter from 2006 to 2007. Even though she only served a short time as Treasurer, Ms. Sward has trained every Tarflower treasurer to the present day. Her extensive knowledge of the Federal and Florida tax laws, Charitable organizations, and banking requirements has served the chapter well. Ms. Sward also took on Publicity Chair functions ensuring all monthly meetings and events were well publicized in local media as well coordinating food provided at each monthly meeting since 2008. |
| Susan Carr, PhD | Paynes Prairie | 2023 | Dr. Susan Carr is a respected and dedicated botanist who has made significant contributions to the field of native plant conservation in Florida. She has over 20 years of experience working with native plants, and her expertise is widely sought after by other scientists, land managers, and the general public. Dr. Carr is a passionate advocate for native plants, and she has been instrumental in the development of several successful conservation programs. She is also a gifted educator, and she has shared her knowledge of native plants with countless students and adults through her teaching, writing, and public presentations. |
| Ginny Stibolt | Ixia | 2024 | Ginny's lifetime of service to FNPS and native plants embodies the spirit of this award. Her dedication, expertise, and advocacy have helped shape our organization's mission and have contributed to the preservation and celebration of Florida's rich botanical heritage. ?. |
| Marlene Rodak | Coccoloba | 2024 | The impact Marlene has had on the Coccoloba Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) can not be overstated. She is a powerhouse! Since becoming our president she has taken us from monthly meetings and scattered outreach events to partnerships with Koreshan State Park, Lee County's Department of Environmental Services, the City of Bonita Springs, Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU), and the Village of Estero. These collaborations are enabling us to develop a multifaceted program to inspire and educate the public about native plants and their importance. |
| Steve Woodmansee | Dade |
2025 | TBD |
| Andre Clewell | Magnolia |
2025 | TBD |
