Citrus Chapter - Florida Native Plant Society

05/11/2026

Happy 25th Anniversary to Citrus Chapter! We had a wonderful get-together this week to celebrate our Silver Anniversary, including some gifts for a few lucky attendees. The timing also worked out perfectly to recognize the birthdays of two of our dedicated volunteers, Gail and Barbara. We look forward to the years ahead! 🌿💚🎉

04/25/2026

Trees provide more for birds than a branch to sit on!

The tree in your yard isn't just shade. It's the base of a food chain.

Nesting chickadees need a remarkable number of caterpillars to raise one clutch — far more than most people would guess. Native trees host those caterpillars. Most non-native ornamentals host very few. The difference between what you plant determines what can nest nearby.

🌿 Native trees ranked by how many caterpillar species they support:

- Oak — more caterpillar species than any other tree genus in North America. One mature oak supports more insect life than entire yards of non-native ornamentals

- Black cherry — the native cherry most people treat as a w**d tree. Its caterpillar load feeds more birds than most ornamental cherries planted in its place

- Willow — fast-growing, water-loving, and among the highest caterpillar hosts on the continent. Native willows outperform the common weeping willow hybrids by a wide margin

- Birch — white, river, and paper birch all rank in the top tier. The caterpillars feeding on birch foliage are primary food for warblers and chickadees during nesting season

- Poplar and cottonwood — the messy tree people complain about is one of the more important wildlife trees in the country. The cotton is a minor inconvenience. The ecological output is hard to replace

- Native maple — red maple and sugar maple, not the imported Norway maple that lines many suburban streets. Norway maple supports far fewer caterpillar species than its native counterparts

- Elm — American elm was the dominant street tree for good reason. Disease-resistant cultivars are returning and bringing the caterpillar community with them

- Hickory — slow-growing and long-lived. The nuts feed mammals. The foliage feeds caterpillars. The caterpillars feed birds. A complete food web in one tree

- Native pine — the evergreen people assume supports nothing because it doesn't flower. Pine-specialist caterpillars are important food for birds in winter and early spring when deciduous trees are bare

The tree you choose determines what can eat, nest, and raise young within reach of it 🌿

04/25/2026

1st walk is about to start. Next one starts at 11:30, so if you don't have plans, make sure to join us to learn about birds and how plants and insects support them. Lots of free handouts!

04/23/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1ZpAm7tNHH/

National Go Birding Day is this Saturday at Felburn Park! 🐦🌿
Join us for a fun morning of guided birding hikes, with two hike times available:
• 9:30 AM & • 11:30 AM
During each hike, we’ll explore the park’s natural habitats and observe local bird species in action. We’ll also talk about how native plants support wildlife—not only providing nesting materials, but also offering important food sources like fruits, seeds, and beneficial insects.

Put on your favorite birding hat, bring plenty of water, bug spray, sunscreen, and pack any other necessities you may need. Please note: the birding hikes will include both paved trails and uneven terrain, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended. ☀️🧢

A special thank you to our partners who help make this event possible: Citrus Audubon, Citrus County Mosquito Control, and the Florida Native Plant Society – Citrus Chapter.
And a very special thanks to Florida State Parks for hosting at Felburn Park!

📍 Felburn Park - 9am to 1pm
10191 N Suncoast Blvd, Crystal River, FL 34428
Come enjoy the outdoors, learn something new, and celebrate Go Birding Day with us! 🐦🌿

Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail Citrus County Mosquito Control District Citrus Chapter - Florida Native Plant Society

✨ Hey, look at this! Thanks to FWC, you can stop by and get a FREE copy of the Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail guide and a Checklist of Florida’s Birds—while supplies last!

04/23/2026

Native plants feed the insects that feed the birds! We hope to see you this Saturday for Go Birding Day at Felburn Park.

"To Support Nesting Eastern Bluebirds, Plant Native" by Dr. Ashley Kennedy, Affiliated Faculty, Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware. https://nestwatch.org/blog/to-support-nesting-eastern-bluebirds-plant-native/

04/15/2026

We'll start doing periodic surveys in a few months, if you'd like to join us. 😀

04/11/2026

03/24/2026

We'd like to thank all our customers and volunteers at the plant sale! We helped put native plants into many yards that suffered from the winter freezes. We look forward to doing this again!

03/22/2026

03/21/2026

We're ready to sell some plants! Come find you new foliage friend at the Crystal River armory.