The Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) is a non-profit organization formed in 1980 to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of the native plants and native plant communities of Florida and the use of Florida native plants in landscaping.
The Dade Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society (DCFNPS) is one of more than 20 chapters around the state and includes residents of Monroe County. More about us »
Next Meeting in Dade County
Tuesday, April 23, 2013, 7:30 pm (fourth Tuesday)
Pinecrest Gardens, 11000 SW 57 Ave (Red Road).
Free and open to the public.
Refreshments begin at 7:15 pm. Merchandise sales are before and after the program (cash, checks and credit cards). The plant raffle follows the program. Please label your raffle donations with the plant name.
"Update on The
Institute for Regional Conservation"
- Sarah Martin, Field
Biologist
Sarah Martin, a biologist with the IRC, will tell about IRC's current work to restore pine rockland habitat on two conservation easements at the Homestead Air Reserve Base's Special Operations Command South. Current activities at the site include collecting vegetation data, habitat restoration activities such as eradicating exotic pest plant species and reintroducing fire, and assessing changes in Small's milkpea (Galactia smallii) and sand flax (Linum arenicola) densities.
Sarah will also touch on other current IRC projects, such as treatment of white leadtree (Leucaena leucocephala) in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; reintroducing two rare species of strap fern (Campyloneurum costatum and Campyloneurum angustifolium) to rockland hammock in Miami-Dade County (with a conservation grant from the Florida Native Plant Society); and restoring scrub habitat in Indian River County. IRC is also working on a Floristic Inventory of the Bahama Archipelago Online and expanding Natives For Your Neighborhood statewide.
[See more about IRC at www.regionalconservation.org - "Natives For Your Neighborhood" for landscaping information or "Floristic Databases" for natural areas plant lists.]
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Upcoming Field Trip
Sunday, April 14, 2013, 9 a.m. -noon: South Dade Wetlands.
The South Dade Wetlands (SDW) is the largest preserve in Miami-Dade County's Environmentally Endangered Lands (EEL) Program and consists of approximately 55,000 acres of Everglades wetlands outside the national park. The preserve is still being acquired by the EEL Program and the South Florida Water Management District, so is not open to the public. The SDW project supports a diverse wildlife population, including a spectacular array of wading birds and raptors. Vegetation in the SDW is composed of both freshwater and coastal wetlands, ranging from prairie with tree islands to mangrove marsh.
Unit 15 is an especially beautiful unit in the preserve, consisting of mixed muhly and sawgrass-dominated prairie with scattered tree islands. It received a prescribed burn in 2012, so the rushes, sedges, and spring wildflowers in the prairie should be especially vibrant this year. April is too late in the year to observe the state listed bracted colic root (Aletris bracteata) in flower, however, seed heads may still be present. Other wetland wildflowers that should be in bloom at this time of year include marsh pink (Sebatia stellaris), grass-pink (Calopogon tuberosus), bachelor's button (Polygala balduinii), and water hyssop (Bacopa monnieri). Those who look closely may find small butterwort (Pinguicula pumila).
Time, address and directions are in the newsletter mailed to members. Please join to enjoy all the activities of the chapter!
Rating: Moderate to difficult. There are no visitor amenities or improved trails. Access to the most interesting parts of the site requires climbing down a steep canal levee to uneven, slippery footing on marl (clay-like) soils. There may be pockets of wet soil.
Wear/bring: Sturdy closed shoes that can get muddy/wet and long pants are required; long-sleeved shirt plus light weight gardening gloves are recommended for protection from poisonwood and sawgrass. Wear sun protection and bring plenty of water! A walking stick could be helpful.
Time: 9 a.m. to noon(ish). You must be on time; access is through a locked canal gate. Going off on your own and early departure will not be possible.
Leader: Gwen Burzycki of the EEL program and DCFNPS member.