About Our Chapter

Our History

We were founded in December 1998, and have been making friends and building community ever since. Although our Chapter is small in size, it is large in leadership and enthusiasm. Our members have served as officers and committee chairs for the Florida Native Plant Society almost continuously since the Chapter's inception. Currently, member Gene Kelly serves as FNPS President following service as Government Policy Chair for the Society. Our Chapter Representative, Janet Grabowski is collaborating in development of regional educational publications.

About our Board

The Hernando Chapter Officers are elected each year in November, for a maximum of four consecutive terms. The Committee Chairs are selected by the President and serve at the pleasure of the President. All committees welcome volunteers of all interest areas and talents. To read more about it, see Hernando Chapter Bylaws!  

In the coming year we will continue our public meetings and programs, and invite you to come along for the field trips and planting projects we enjoy so much. We hope you decide to join up, and join in! 

Officers for 2025 

Renee Holcomb, President 

Jason LaRoche, Vice-President 

Bruce Vanderveen, Treasurer

Heather Starkey, Secretary

Janet Grabowski, Chapter Representative 

Current Committee Chairs 

Janet Grabowski, Liaison, Nature Coast Botanical Garden

James Clayton, Public Events 

TBA, Conservation

Mikel Renner,  Membership 

Cindy Liberton, Public Relations & Media

Renee Holcomb – President

Renee Holcomb is a lifelong environmental advocate and enthusiast of Florida’s native flora and fauna, as well as an avid gardener. Born and raised in Lutz, Florida, Renee developed a deep appreciation for the natural world while growing up in the diverse ecosystems of Florida. She began helping in her parents’ vegetable garden at the age of 5. Her passion was further nurtured through family travels, hiking adventures, and participation in Audubon events. 

A graduate of the University of South Florida, Renee holds a master’s degree in accountancy and is a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). She has leveraged her professional and technical skills to benefit her environmental interests, creating an extensive Excel spreadsheet to meticulously document the native plants on her property. For over 20 years, Renee has been dedicated to preserving and restoring her own properties, fostering a thriving environment for native species.

Renee joined the Florida Native Plant Society in 2022 and quickly became an active member. As Interim Vice President, she is dedicated to promoting the society’s mission, fostering collaboration among members, and expanding educational outreach.

Jason LaRoche – Vice President

Jason has served as a board member of the Hernando Chapter for over 20 years now.  He lives in the Shady Hills area of Spring Hill with his wife and a diverse pack of beloved rescue and foster dogs. Their property is a sanctuary and habitat restoration project of 20 years now, re-wilding a tiny sandhill habitat with prescribed fire and a lot of hard work. Jason is a Florida native (like his plants), who grew up spending countless hours in the upland woods of Florida, only later learning just how fragile, precious, and increasingly threatened our unique ecosystems are. He has a deep connection with the Florida Native Plant Society because its mission lines up perfectly with his values for natural Florida. Jason says that being part of this amazing little Chapter has brought him friends for life and a sense of purpose that he hopes to give back in service.

Bruce Vanderveen – Treasurer

 Bruce  brings accounting skills to the task at hand in addition to a wide range of botanical knowledge.  Bruce has a BA degree from Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan and a MA degree in Plant Ecology from the University of South Dakota. He has worked most of his life in Data Processing and Real Estate. In retirement he spends much of his time with solar energy and EVs. Bruce has been a member of HCFNPS since 1986.


Heather Sharkey - Secretary

Out in nature is where Heather wants to be.  An artist and rock climber, a period costume designer and friend to all, she brings a get-it-done attitude to the Hernando Chapter. In addition to serving as Vice- President to the Chapter,  Heather volunteers at the Nature Coast Botanical Garden and on all field trips. Heather Sharkey works for the Florida Forest Service eradicating invasive exotic plant species from our forests.

Janet Grabowski – Chapter Representative and Past President

Now retired, Janet Grabowski had been the Manager at the USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Brooksville Plant Materials Center (PMC) in Brooksville, Florida since May of 2005. She began her career with the agency in 1991, where she worked as a Biologist and Research Agronomist at the Jamie L. Whitten PMC in Coffeeville, Mississippi. During her tenure with NRCS, she gained extensive experience in native seed production and plant restoration methods. Janet has BS and MS degrees in Horticulture from the University of Illinois.