Member Meeting Wednesday: Craig Huegel to Speak on Torreya's Flora

The flora of Torreya State Park and adjacent Bluffs and Ravines Preserve is comprised of a great many species found nowhere else in Florida. Because of the region’s geological history, the steephead hammock forests and sandhills have developed a flora rich in endemic species and species which are more common north of the state line. Craig has been exploring this region for several years with his wife, Alexa, and he will share some of the many photos he’s taken, giving us all a preview of what we might expect to see later in the month when our Chapter travels there for our field trip.

"Invasive Exotic Plants & Their Control": Mar. 9th

Debbie Chayet, grants specialist for Pinellas County, is a botanist, horticulturist, environmental educator, and is a board member for the Pinellas Chapter. She has extensive experience in land management and is responsible for finding funding for projects such as large habitat restoration, environmental land acquisition, and park development. On March 9th, she will address the Nature Coast Chapter of FNPS, speaking about invasive exotic (non-native) plants, which are becoming a greater problem in residential, as well as natural areas. Please join Debbie and learn to recognize some of Florida's non-native, invasive plants and how to remove and prevent invasives on your property and on public lands. The Nature Coast Chapter meets at 7:30 p.m. at St. Marks Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall, located at 7922 State Road 52 in Hudson.

Clam Bayou Trash Bash Saturday

Keep Pinellas Beautiful is hosting a series of "Clam Bayou Trash Bash" events to clean up the preserve. The next one will be from 9 am to noon Saturday, March 6th. Needed are a minimum of 6 land based volunteers, as well as at least 10 canoes and kayaks.

Directions: 22nd Ave S to 37th St S, turn south and proceed to 27th Ave S, turn right and proceed into park area. Please wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants & close-toed shoes. Boots/gloves will be available if needed. For more information visit Keep Pinellas Beautiful's website.

Future "Bashes" will be held on successive Saturdays: Feb. 27, Mar. 6, and Mar. 13th. After the March 13th event, volunteers will be treated to a Grand Finale party with door prizes, hot dogs and BBQ, live music and t-shirts.

Exotic Plant Removal at Joe's Creek March 13th

Attention all air potato and Brazilian pepper tree haters! 40 volunteers are needed on Saturday, March 13 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Pinellas County is in need of help with exotic vegetation removal from Environmental Lands Division's Joe's Creek Management Area. Volunteers can help by picking up air potato or dragging cut Brazilian pepper trees for mulching. Volunteers will be working with Pinellas County Environmental Lands Division staff.

The Joe's Creek Management Area is located on the east side of Park Street North, on the north side of 62nd Avenue North in St. Petersburg.

Suitable Ages: This workday is suitable for volunteers 12 and older. ALL minors must be accompanied by a parent.

Please contact Colleen at 727-893-2765 to volunteer.

Participation in this event qualifies you for the "Give A Day, Get A Disney Day" Free Ticket Program Walt Disney World is rewarding residents for their volunteer service by giving free one-day admission to any Walt Disney World theme park in 2010, and TBEP's "Give a Day For The Bay" program is eligible for this offer. You can register for the "Give a Day, Get a Disney Day" program at disneyparks.com. Select the "Tampa Bay Estuary Program" from among the list of eligible organizations. Once you sign up and complete one of our upcoming workdays, the Hands On Volunteer Network will verify your service. Then you will receive an e-mail from Disney prompting you to log into your account to print a ticket voucher for free park admission. Only one ticket per person, regardless of the numbers of hours or workdays completed.

Nature Coast Chapter's Plant Sale Mar. 13

The Nature Coast Chapter of FNPS will hold its spring plant sale from noon until 4 pm on March 13, at Cabin #1 in J. B. Starkey Wilderness Park, 10500 Wilderness Park Blvd., New Port Richey. To volunteer or for more information, contact sale coordinator Peggy Gretchen at (813) 991-4812.

"Landscaping for Wildlife" at Brooker Creek Mar. 27

On Sat., Mar. 27, from 2 – 3 pm, Wilma Holley of Pinellas County Extension will give a class on landscaping with wild creatures in mind. Spring is here and it’s time to start getting back into our yards. Join Wilma to learn how to invite the birds and butterflies to your yard by attending this landscaping for wildlife program. You will learn what plants attract wildlife, where to plant them, and how to take care of them. Pre-registration is required (call 727-453-6800). Free. Best for adults.

Cross Bayou/Joe's Creek Cleanup April 3rd

Warmer weather will soon be here! The cleanup of these waterways is a decade-long tradition of partnering with Keep Pinellas Beautiful. Due to its popularity and necessity, this cleanup event is held twice a year and incorporates environmental education exhibits. At the last event we had 100 volunteers, help surpass that number! Registration is required and the deadline is March 23rd. All necessary forms are available through the link below. Please note that the Parental Consent Form for volunteers under the age of 18 needs to be notarized. A notary will be at the event for your convenience.

Bill Jackson's has donated kayaks for use during the cleanup and great prizes from local businesses were also donated for the free raffle. You don’t want to miss out!

Click this link for information and online registration.