Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County 2018–19 Board President: Mark Kateli Past President (advisory): Neta Villalobos-Bell Vice President: Barbara Whittier Secretary: Christine Brown Treasurer: Susan Blount-Angermeier Chapter Representative (interim): Mark Kateli Membership: Christine Brown Director-at-Large: Jim Hoopper Director-at-Large: Marion Crim 2018–19 Committees Website: Mark Kateli Website (advisory): Ken Bell Youth Eco Camp Ambassador: Barbara Whittier Newsletter: Kathleen Poole Cuplet Fern Chapter Florida Native Plant Society PO Box 150021 Altamonte Springs, FL 32715 Meeting Location: 200 Fairmont Drive Sanford, FL 32773 Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018 Continued on page 3 Cuplet Fern Chapter nominated Neta for the Regional Cox Conserves Hero— and she won! Neta Villalobos-Bell is a shining star in our Chapter, a past President, and Chapter Representative. Because of her, we received an award of $10,000 for our Chapter Scholarships. Conservation Hero: Neta Villalobos-Bell Now we need to vote for the National prize of $60,000 for Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) state level! Neta is one of only 8 finalists and is the only finalist devoted to native plant conservation. A vote for Neta is a vote to support the recognition and conservation of native plants everywhere! e deadline is October 15. Please vote at https://www.coxconservesheroes.com/vote FYI: You can vote only once per ISP location and email address. Which means if there are multiple members in your household, please use your phone for one vote and your laptop/desktop for another.
Cuplet Fern Chapter nominated Neta for the Regional Cox Conserves Hero—and she won!
Neta Villalobos-Bell is a shining star in our Chapter, a past President, and Chapter Representative.
Because of her, we received an award of $10,000 for our Chapter Scholarships.
Conservation Hero: Neta Villalobos-BellNow we need to vote for the National prize of $60,000 for Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) state level!
Neta is one of only 8 finalists and is the only finalist devoted to native plant conservation. A vote for Neta is a vote to support the recognition and conservation of native plants everywhere!
The deadline is October 15.
Please vote at https://www.coxconservesheroes.com/vote
FYI: You can vote only once per ISP location and email address. Which means if there are multiple members in your household, please use your phone for one vote and your laptop/desktop for another.
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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Photo credit: Barbara Whittier
The latest Cuplet Fern field trip was held at Hickory Bluff Preserve in Osteen. The 150 acre property contains a nice mix of natural communities; mesic and scrubby flatwoods, oak hammock, cypress domes, flood plain swamp and wet prairie.
We spent a pleasant morning hiking the trail with Dr. Bill Grey, who provided identification tips for the many native tree species found on the property. Some of the trees we observed were black gum, long leaf pine, sweet gum, myrtle oak, sand live oak, water hickory, sweet bay, loblolly bay, dahoon holly and two varieties of paw paw.
Hickory Bluff Preserve Field TripBeth Jackson, our former president, helped us identify many wildflowers that were growing along the trail. We were excited to see many Florida Paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) plants blooming, with another variety close by that will bloom later. Tarflower grows along the trail as well, but we will have to visit next summer to see the flowers. Yellow-eyed grass was blooming along the trail, and we found wild batchelor’s button among many other interesting flora. It was well-worth the drive to see the interesting plants at Hickory Bluff Preserve.
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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Florida Native Plant Society 2019 Conference
The Florida Native Plant Society Annual Conference will be held at the Plantation on Crystal River, Crystal River, Florida, May 16–19, 2019. The Research Track of the Conference will include presented papers and a poster session on Friday, May 17 and Saturday, May 18.
Researchers are invited to submit abstracts on research related to native plants and plant communities of Florida including preservation, conservation, and restoration. Presentations are planned to be 20 minutes in total length (15 minute presentation, 5 minutes for questions).
Abstracts of not more than 200 words should be submitted as a MS Word file by email to Paul A. Schmalzer [email protected] by February 1, 2019. Please include title, affiliation, and address. Indicate whether you will be presenting a paper or poster.
SincerelyFNPS Administrative Services
Call for Research Track Papers and Poster Presentations
Conservation Hero: Neta Villalobos-Bell—continued
Stacey Kelly, our friend from the Oklawaha Audubon Society, would like members to enter their photography contest in the Festival of Flight and Flowers on October 13th occurring in Eustis. Submissions are $5 just for Cuplet Fern members. This event is a remake of Wings and Wildflowers which was discontinued. For more information, check out: https://www.facebook.com/FestivalofFlightandFlowers/
About Cox Conserves Heroes
The Cox Conserves Heroes awards program is how Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) honor the unsung heroes in our communities, as well as support the local organizations doing the important work of improving our environment. Through the program, we hope to inspire more people to take an active role in community conservation.
To date, the national Cox Conserves Heroes program has donated $860,000 to environmental nonprofits and honored more than 200 volunteers. Part of the Cox Enterprises’ national Cox
Conserves sustainability program, Cox Conserves Heroes awards volunteers for their actions in Arizona, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington.
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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As a Native Plant Society member, we know you are concerned about the natural world and how you impact the environment. But what about when you die?
Caskets or coffins are often made of exotic or endangered woods that prevent decomposition of the body.
Body preparation typically involves embalming with toxic chemicals that inhibit bacterial decomposition of the body. Formaldehyde, which is often used and
Green Burialsknown to be a human carcinogen, can be harmful to the embalmers.
For burial the body is placed in a concrete or metal vault which requires a lot of energy to manufacture and keeps the body from decomposition.
Cremation uses fossil fuels and causes air pollution with carbon emissions.
There is an alternative.
Woodland Burialby Pam Ayres
Don’t lay me in some gloomy churchyard shaded by a wallWhere the dust of ancient bones has spread a dryness over all,Lay me in some leafy loam where, sheltered from the coldLittle seeds investigate and tender leaves unfold.There kindly and affectionately, plant a native treeTo grow resplendent before all and hold some part of me.The roots will not disturb me as they wend their peaceful wayTo build the fine and bountiful, from closure and decay.To seek their small requirements so that when their work is doneI’ll be tall and standing strongly in the beauty of the sun.
Doesn’t that sound more peaceful?
Cuplet Fern member Richard Poole has already arranged for his green burial. He will be wrapped in a natural cloth shroud and placed in a plain pine coffin. No poisons will be in his body. He is currently growing a female Yaupon Holly, Ilex vomitoria, which will be planted on his grave, and the berries will feed the birds.
For more information go to: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_burial
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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Florida FungiNovember 12, 2018, 7PM 407-302-7616Speaker: Chris Matson
Holiday PotluckDecember 10, 2018, 6:30PM 407-302-7616End of year Holiday Party. Bring a covered dish to share, and invite your friends and family. The Chapter will provide the main entrée and activities.
Native Plants Feed Migrating BirdsJanuary 8, 2019, 7PM 407-302-7616Speaker: Faith JonesEach Spring tiny song birds fly thousands of miles from their winter homes in the Tropics to their nesting grounds in North America. Each Fall they make the journey in reverse. This program will not only explain the vital role native plants play in these birds’ survival, but will also include information on important plants.
Pruning and Maintenance of Native PlantsFebruary 11, 2019, 7PM 407-302-7616Speaker: Nick Giannola
Florida Edible Native PlantsApril 8, 2019, 7PM 407-302-7616Speaker: Don Philpott
MothsMay 13, 2019, 7PM 407-302-7616Speaker: Taylor Jones
Restoring a Sandhill: Research and Outreach in an Urban Habitat FragmentJune 10, 2019, 7PM 407-302-7616Speakers: Cynthia Bennington, Karen ColeThe Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem Teaching Landscape, an ongoing, small-scale (1 acre) restoration of the historic longleaf pine forests of central Florida, was established in 2011 on the perimeter of Stetson University’s campus, and adjacent to the university’s earth science museum. Recognizing that the site is far too small to be considered a true ecological restoration, it is nevertheless perfectly suited to extend the educational outreach of the Gillespie Museum and to provide space for undergraduate research projects related to the ecological restoration of degraded urban spaces. With a current emphasis on the role of this urban fragment as a refuge for insect pollinators, we are working to increase the diversity of the understory and to create educational materials describing the importance of native insect species to native plant reproduction. We will share progress we have made, challenges met along the way, and our optimism for the future.
Upcoming Meetings—All meetings are held at 200 Fairmont, Sanford and are free and open to the public. Florida Native Plants are available at all meetings for a donation. For updates or clarifications closer to the time, visit our website, check out our Facebook page, or call us at 352-658-3677 for more information.
November's presenter is asking for all of you to keep an eye out for mushrooms in your yard, neighborhood, or workplace that you'd be interested in learning about. A small display table will be provided at the November 12th meeting—simply lay your mushroom sample on the table when you arrive. Speaker Chris Matson will bring some of his own to his program. It should be an interesting presentation!
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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A special guided tour of the Orlando Wetlands Park (OWP) on October 13th has but a handful of tickets remaining. Rachel Kessler, Education Specialist at OWP, will provide us with a private tour of the entire park—part on foot, part on a buggy ride. Wear appropriate clothing and footwear, and don't forget a hat. Spend time with your photographers for the event, Randy Snyder and Mary Keim, who are also plant identification and wildlife enthusiasts who will be happy to help identify species they know along the way. Light refreshments for lunch are planned. Weather permitting, this will be on Oyler Overlook—a picturesque small hilltop overlooking a huge bird rookery and a magnificent view of the entire park. Special guests include Eric Rollings (Soil and Water Conservation), Emily Bonilla (Orange County Commissioner), and Valerie Anderson (Friends of Split Oak Forest). Tickets and complete information available at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-special-private-tour-of-the-orlando-wetlands-park-tickets-50852019760
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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Ginny Stibolt is getting very excited to meet all of you at her 2.5 hour comprehensive course on native plant landscaping on November 3rd at the Sanford Chamber of Commerce. A 90-minute presentation, plus a 40-minute hands-on demonstration, plus a 20-minute native plant descriptions with Q&A is planned. Event starts at 9AM. Light refreshments are included to fuel your learning binge. Not to mention, a custom information packet to take home with you so you can continue learning. This event also makes a PERFECT GIFT for someone in your life who is interested in gardening. Complete information and ticket sales can be found here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/step-by-step-native-landscaping-workshop-with-author-ginny-stibolt-tickets-48361464442
Frond Forum Florida Native Plant Society :: Cuplet Fern Chapter :: Seminole County Volume 8, Number 4 :: October – December 2018
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Orlando Wetlands ParkOctober 13, 2018, 9AM 407-302-7616Trip Leader: Rachel KesslerSee flyer on page 6 for details.
Lubee Bat ConservatoryNovember 17, 2018, 11:30AM 407-302-7616GainesvilleAn inter-chapter field trip with Ixia, Tarflower, Paynes Prairie, and Citrus. This guided tour is $10 per person (discounted from $17).
December—No field trip due to holidays
Lake Apopka Wildlife DriveJanuary 19, 2019, 9AM 407-302-7616Trip Leader: Beth JacksonMeet at Magnolia Park, 2929 S Binion Road, ApopkaFree, but reservations requiredWe will caravan along the Lake Apopka Wildlife Drive, a one-way 11-mile drive beginning at Lust Road and ending on Jones Road. We will stop along the way into “pull over” areas to observe and discuss what we see. The former farmlands that make up the Lake Apopka North Shore includes marsh and floodplain restoration and the creation of a marsh flow-way that filters Lake Apopka’s waters by circulating lake water through restored wetlands,
Upcoming Field Trips and Activities—For updates or clarifications closer to the time, visit our website, check out our Facebook page, or call us at 352-658-3677 for more information.
returning cleaner water to the lake. The wildlife drive is along a portion of the former farm fields. After our drive, we can return to picnic at Magnolia Park.
UCF HerbariumFebruary 16, 2019 321-689-7466Trip Leader: Dr. Elizabeth Harris
TBDMarch 16, 2019 321-689-7466Trip Leader: TBD
April—No field trip due to Earth Day events
TBDMay 13, 2019 321-689-7466Trip Leader: TBD
Longleaf Pine Restoration at Stetson UniversityJune 15, 2019 407-302-7616Trip Leader: Cynthia Bennington and Karen ColeFree, but reservations requiredA follow-up visit to the Volusia Sandhill Ecosystem Teaching Landscape established in 2011 on the perimeter of Stetson University’s campus, and adjacent to the university’s earth science museum. It is an ongoing, small-scale (1 acre) restoration of the historic longleaf pine forests of central Florida.
