2013 Conference
The Florida Native Plant Society's 2013 conference theme, "Celebrating La Florida; the Land of Flowers," is to commemorate Ponce deLeon's naming of this region when he landed here 500 years ago.
The conference will be held May 16th through May 19th at the University Center on the campus of the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. 12000 Alumni Drive, Jacksonville, FL 32224. Driving instructions.
Field trips will be held on Thursday May 16th and on Sunday May 19th.
The heart of the conference is on Friday and Saturday with keynote speakers, educational sessions, book signings, and networking with fellow native plant enthusiasts.
Click for the Schedule, and while online registration is closed, you may still register onsite. A few of the fieldtrips and socials are sold out, but there is plenty of space available for the general conference and on the majority of the field trips. Check out the quality of our speakers! We all expect to learn a lot!
A special 2-hour Home Landscape Design Workshop will be presented by 2 landscape architects on Saturday May 18th from 12:50pm until 2:45pm. This is a stand-alone event and we have invited homeowners in the region to attend. Taught by two landscape architects, attendees will learn how to use Florida native in various landscape situations.
Eight native plant nurseries will also offer their beautiful natives for sale on Friday and Saturday from 7:30am to 4:30pm. The native plant sale is open to the public--you do not need to register to shop for these sustainable plants.
University of North Florida (UNF)
The University Center at 12000 Alumni Drive Jacksonville 32224 is our main conference site. The Ixia chapter is pleased to be able to work with this university because of its environmentally sensitive policies. UNF has won nationwide recognition for its green initiatives.
From a recent press release:
"The University of North Florida was ranked in the top 100 “Coolest Schools” by Sierra magazine, the award-winning magazine of the Sierra Club, America’s largest and most influential grassroots environmental organization, for its “green” endeavors on campus.
"Each year, Sierra magazine ranks America’s most environmentally-progressive colleges and universities according to their environmental practices, green initiatives and caliber of sustainability-oriented education in its annual “Coolest Schools” issue.
“Making the Sierra Club 100 Coolest Schools list is an important first for UNF,” said Dr. Radha Pyati, director of UNF’s Environmental Center. “We have worked hard at making our campus more environmentally sustainable, and this kind of recognition among our peers tells us that we are a valuable part of a critical global movement.” Read more...
Sheraton Jacksonville Hotel
Our conference hotel is three miles from the conference site with easy access. Room rate is $85 + 13% tax, but be sure you tell the reservation agent that you're with FNPS and this rate is in effect until April 15th.
Phone: (904) 564-4772
(Its location is marked with an "H" on the "Socials" page.)
Jacksonville Sheraton reservation form for FNPS
This FNPS conference is one of the many statewide events that are part of Viva Florida 500:
Viva Florida 500 is a statewide initiative led by the Florida Department of State (FDOS) to highlight the 500th anniversary in 2013 of the arrival of Juan Ponce de Leon to La Florida in 1513.
While Florida’s history dates back more than 12,000 years with the American Indians, Spain’s claim in 1513 began a new era. In 2013 Florida will mark 500 years of history and diverse cultural heritage – a claim no other state can make – and the place where the world’s cultures began to unite and transform into the great nation we know today as the United States of America. Viva Florida 500 will take place year-round in 2013 and its many partners are planning more than 150 events statewide. The goal is to promote 500 years of Florida’s history, its people, places and cultural achievements and this important milestone in American and Florida history. Learn more by visiting www.fla500.com and www.vivaflorida.org.
