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Dedicated to preservation, conservation and restoration of Florida's native plants and their communities.
The sandhills of Hernando County are showy in fall in the Croom Tract of the Withlacoochee State Forest. Florida paintbrush (Carphephorus corymbosus) help paint the scene.
It's natural to love Hernando County
The Hernando Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society shares information with citizens who are interested in learning about Florida's native plants, their ecosystems, and all aspects of biological diversity.
Together, we learn how landscaping with native plants has a minimal affect on the environment. By using native plants, chemicals are eliminated, maintenance is reduced, water is conserved, and habitat is provided for wildlife.
Plant enthusiasts become acquainted with plant species that make their home in Hernando, and the types of conditions they prefer. Whether you best appreciate these plants in the natural landscape or the home landscape, we know you'll enjoy the Society.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
April 6, 2026
Monthly Meeting and Public Program
Living shorelines for Florida:
A practical guide to building coastal resilience
by Savanna Barry, Regional Specialized Extension Agent III with UF/IFAS Extension and Florida Sea Grant
A "living shoreline" is a method of shoreline stabilization that uses natural materials and native vegetation to protect coastal areas from erosion. Dr. Savannah Barry's recent book, Living Shorelines for Florida: A Practical Guide for Building Coastal Resilience, explains the concept of living shorelines and how to implement them in Florida.
As coastal areas face rising seas, stronger storms, and increased erosion, living shorelines provide a more natural, cost-effective alternative to traditional armored structures like seawalls. This peer-reviewed book offers real-world examples, step-by-step guides, expert insights, recommended materials, and illustrations. It covers every stage from design and construction to planting, maintenance, and permitting. Living shorelines for Florida is co-authored with Vincent Encomio, Marjorie Shropshire, and Ginny Stibolt (University of Florida Press, Nov. 2025).
About our Speaker: Dr. Savanna Barry is based at the UF/IFAS Nature Coast Biological Station in Cedar Key, Florida. Savanna grew up on a small farm in central Virginia and discovered her interest in marine ecology during family vacations to small fishing towns along the Chesapeake Bay. She holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Virginia, and a M.S. and Ph.D. in Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences from the University of Florida.
Logistics – Our regular monthly meetings are held on the first Monday of most months. They are notorious for intriguing topics and a great light supper. Arrive at the South Brooksville Community Center at 6:30 pm for snacks and socializing; the formal meeting and program starts at 7:00 pm. The South Brooksville Community Center is located at 601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601. Contact us at hcfnps@gmail.com
About our Programs
The Mission of the Florida Native Plant Society is to champion the preservation, conservation and restoration of Florida's native plants and the habitats where they live. Each month the Hernando Chapter FNPS recruits expert speakers to explore our areas of interest. Talks range from native bees to beautyberries, hydrology to horticulture. Programs are free and open to the public.
About our venue. Join us at the South Brooksville Community Center, 601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601. This facility is on the East side of Brooksville proper at the apex of Jefferson (US 98) and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
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2026 Calendar of Monthly Meetings and Public Programs
We are busy gearing up for 2026. Our schedule follows – please mark your calendar! We look forward to the good times and good learning in the coming year. These are the first Mondays of the month, except for September due to Labor Day.
January 5
February 2
March 2
April 6
May 4
June 1
July 6
August 3
September 14 (moved back due to Labor Day)
October 5
November 2
Get to know us,
get to know your county
Get to know us,
get to know your county
Our meetings are held the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. At each meeting we discuss native plants and native plant ecosystems. Subjects range from hummingbird gardening to black bear habitat.
Each meeting has delicious snacks, and friendly company, native plants on display, and an information table. Please join us for a meeting.
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Visit the Garden
Nature Coast Botanical Garden,
Florida Native Plant Demonstration Garden
1489 Parker Ave, Spring Hill, FL 34606
We encourage you to visit the Florida Native Plant Demonstration Garden during all seasons. There are many opportunities to study Florida's native flora.
For example:
The buzz on pollinators. The populations of many pollinators have declined due to loss of habitat and the plants that they depend on for food. The garden highlights native wildflowers you can plant in your yard to attract and support butterflies, bees, and other pollinators.
Attracting wildlife. Wildlife requires cover, food and water, and depends on native grasses, shrubs and trees to help provide. You can plan to attract and protect the birds and bunnies through creating natural areas for biodiversity to thrive and achieve its natural balance. The garden provides examples.
The right plant for the right place. Several areas of the Native Plant Garden feature plant species that are found growing in the sandhill and hammock ecosystems of Hernando County. See how you can bring the natural beauty of the Nature Coast into your home landscape and learn about native species that may work best for the conditions on your site.
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Join us in the field
Join us in the field
We also offer guided field trips to help celebration the natural beauty that is Hernando County. We hope you'll decide to join in!
Embrace the Mission
Embrace the Mission
Preserve
Preserve
Hernando County is home to a wide variety of natural areas from coastal scrub to the sandhills of the Brooksville Ridge to the cypress swamps of the Withlacoochee. Our fieldtrips explore the diversity of our landscapes and their habitats.
Conserve
Conserve
Through research and advocacy the Society seeks to ensure that natural landscapes are set aside to protect native plants and their habitats. Join us as we speak out for native plants and the wildlife that depends on them.
Restore
Restore
Returning Florida's native plants to the human landscape is a critical action for increasing biodiversity and protecting pollinators and other wildlife. Our planting projects help point the way.
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