Home in Hernando

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

Monday, Oct 7, 2024, 6:30 PM 

South Brooksville Community Center

601 E Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601

Monthly Meeting and Public Program: 

Drivers of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in Florida Springs

by Madison Trowbridge, Ph.D., Springs Scientist, Southwest Florida Water Management District

Florida’s springs are home to manatees, mermaids…and submerged aquatic vegetation, commonly known as “SAV”. The term “SAV” includes freshwater submerged vegetation like Vallisneria americana (“eelgrass”) and filamentous algae. In this presentation, attendees will learn about recently completed studies by the District that analyzed trends and drivers of change in SAV communities within our springs.  

About our Speaker

Dr. Madison Trowbridge is the Springs Scientist and the Springs Team Lead for the Southwest Florida Water Management District (“Swiftmud”). She holds a Ph.D. in Cell and Molecular Biology from the University of South Florida. Prior to joining the District, her doctoral work focused on bacterial communities in springs and groundwater, including in Hospital Hole, a sinkhole located underneath the Weeki Wachee River. She has four published research papers on springs, including two on Hospital Hole, and has worked in the Weeki Wachee River for the past 9 years.


Related Resources

WaterMatters.org/Springs

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 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

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2024 Calendar of Monthly Meetings and Public Programs

We are busy gearing up for 2024.  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 New Year's Day and September due to Labor Day. 

January 8
February 5
March 4
April 1
May 6
June 3
July 1
August 5
September 9 (moved back due to Labor Day)
October 7
November 4


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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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. 


CANCELED! Saturday, Sept 28, 9am - noon
Fall Native Plant Sale!
Russell Street Park

28 Russell St., Brooksville, FL 34601


Due to the close call with hurricane Helene, we cancelled our fall native plant sale. Look for us in the spring 2025.

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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

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

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 

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

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.