Florida Native Plant Society Blog

April is National Native Plant Month!

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 15:02:51 GMT

S. RES. 665

SENATE RESOLUTION 665—DESIGNATING APRIL 2026 AS "NATIONAL NATIVE PLANT MONTH"

Mrs. HYDE-SMITH (for herself, Ms. HIRONO, Mr. HUSTED, Mr. VAN HOLLEN, Mr. WICKER, Mr. BOOKER, Mr. BENNET, Mrs. SHAHEEN, and Mr. HEINRICH) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

S. RES. 665

Whereas native plants are indigenous species that have evolved alongside native wildlife and occur naturally in a particular geographic region, ecosystem, and habitat;

Whereas there are more than 17,000 native plant species in the United States, which include large shade trees, understory trees, shrubs, perennials, vines, grasses, and wildflowers;

Whereas native plants are essential for healthy, diverse, and sustainable ecosystems and are critical for cleaning air, filtering water, and stabilizing soils;

Whereas native plants are well-adapted to specific soils, temperatures, precipitation, and environmental conditions, making them the best option for conserving and protecting our environment and adapting to its changes;

Whereas native plants provide shelter, as well as nectar, pollen, seeds, and foliage that serve as food, for native butterflies, caterpillars, birds, bees, and other wildlife in ways that non-native plants cannot;

Whereas more than 200 of the native plant species in the United States are estimated to have been lost since the early 19th century;

Whereas habitat loss and degradation, extreme weather events, and invasive species have contributed to the decline of native plants in the United States; and

Whereas native plants are essential components of resilient ecosystems and our natural heritage: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved , That the Senate—

(1) designates April 2026 as "National Native Plant Month"; and

(2) recognizes the benefits of native plants to the environment and economy of the United States.

Learn more about the National Native Plant Month at this link!

Palmetto Award Nominations are now OPEN

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:44:19 GMT

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for their work for Florida's native plants?

Nominations are open for FNPS service awards, and we want to hear from you! Here's what's available:

Green Palmetto Award for members making major contributions through service, education, or conservation
Mentor Award , our highest honor, for lifelong or career-long dedication to native plant preservation
Emerging Leaders Under 30 , celebrating the next generation of native plant champions
Outstanding Chapter of the Year , recognizing chapters going above and beyond for the mission

All nominees must be current FNPS members. Nominations are due May 15, 2026. Visit the link in our bio to learn more and submit your nomination.

Let's make sure the people and chapters doing incredible work for Florida's native plants get the recognition they deserve!

Board Nominations are now OPEN

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:01:38 GMT

�� Board Nominations Are Now Open!

Do you love Florida's native plants and want to make a real difference for their future? Now is your chance to step up and help lead the Florida Native Plant Society.

We are currently accepting nominations for open Board positions, and we would love to see passionate, dedicated members throw their hat in the ring. Whether you have a background in finance, communications, conservation, or simply a deep commitment to our mission, there is a place for you on the Board.

Visit our Opportunities page to learn more about the open positions and submit your nomination. The deadline to apply is May 31, 2026.

Voting will take place at the Annual Meeting on July 18, 2026, and elected officers and directors will begin serving immediately following the vote.

Join us in steering FNPS forward. Florida's native plants need advocates like you at the table.

Florida Native Plant Society Opposition to Section 6 of SB 290 DACS

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:41:52 GMT

FNPS Advocates for Florida's Conservation Lands

Florida Native Plant Society has sent a formal letter of opposition to members of the Florida Senate regarding Section 6 of SB 290. This provision would direct the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) to sell conservation lands, acquired through the Florida Forever Program, back into private ownership if deemed suitable for agricultural use. These lands are critical habitat for Florida's endangered native plants and the wildlife that depends on them. Allowing them to be converted to row crops or other intensive agricultural uses would be a devastating blow to the biodiversity we work so hard to protect. We urge our members to stay informed and engaged as this bill moves forward.

Florida Forever funding has declined dramatically since its peak in the early 2000s, dropping nearly to zero following the 2008 Great Recession and recovering only modestly after voters passed Amendment 1 in 2014. In recent years, the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program has absorbed a growing share of the state's land acquisition budget, a shift that underscores why protecting existing Florida Forever conservation lands from being sold back into private ownership is more critical than ever.