Cuplet Fern Florida Native Plant Society

08/16/2026

It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of a longtime and cherished member of the Cuplet Fern family, Mary Rowell.

Mary was a passionate advocate for Florida's environment and a deeply dedicated member of our native plant community. Her love for nature was beautifully reflected in her own life, where she enjoyed cultivating a native plant garden at her home in Lake Mary. Her commitment to conservation and her presence at our community events over the years truly exemplified the mission of the Florida Native Plant Society.

For those who wish to honor Mary's legacy, her family has requested that donations be made in her memory to Cuplet Fern to support the local native plant advocacy and education efforts she cared so deeply about.

If you would like to make a tribute donation, you can do so securely through our website at CupletFern.org/donate We are tracking contributions in memory of Mary Rowell so we can ensure an acknowledgment is sent to her husband, Steve.

Alternatively, contributions can be made via check payable to "Cuplet Fern" with "In Memory of Mary Rowell" written in the memo line at our listed P.O.Box on our Cuplet Fern website.

We are grateful for Mary’s years of support, friendship, and dedication to Florida's native plant communities. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Steve and the entire Rowell family during this difficult time.

07/19/2026

Protect Florida's future with us 🌿

Join us on July 20th at 6:30 PM at the Seminole IFAS Auditorium in Sanford for a special installment of our "Protecting Paradise" summer program series.

We are honored to host Paul Owens, President of 1000 Friends of Florida, for his featured presentation: “What Kind of Future will we Choose for Florida?”.

Seving Seminole and West Volusia, Cuplet Fern understands that smarter growth and strong water protections are inextricably linked to the native plant communities we strive to conserve. Paul’s expertise in state-level planning and policy advocacy provides a vital perspective on how we can protect the biodiversity of our local ecosystems for future generations.

Evening Schedule:

- 6:30 PM: Networking and Potluck 🥗
- 6:55 PM: General Announcements & Native Plant Descriptions
- 7:20 PM: Featured Presentation by Paul Owens 🎤
- 8:15 PM: Q&A Session

Come learn how sustainable growth can shape the future of Florida's unique natural heritage. We look forward to seeing you there!

07/10/2026

Join us for the Sanford Municipal Cemetery iNaturalist Excursion on Saturday, July 11th, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM! In proud partnership with the City of Sanford, the Central Florida Cemetery Project, and the Ixora Garden Club of Sanford, this event focuses on our "Florida Native Plant Heritage" initiative to document existing flora and track the ecological impact of future native plant installations.

This scientific documentation session is free and open to the public. We will be using the iNaturalist app to record observations, so please download the app and set up your account before arriving.

We will meet in the parking area at 1975 W 25th St, Sanford, FL 32771 at 5:00 PM. Please wear a long-sleeve shirt, long pants, and closed-toed sneakers for protection, and remember to bring sunscreen, bug repellent, and plenty of water. Participants must also complete an electronic liability waiver prior to the start of the inventory.

🌿 📸 📱

06/25/2026

Get your garden ready for the rainy season! 🌿✂️

Join me this Saturday for an expert-led Pruning Class for summertime! It’s the perfect opportunity to master your pruning skills while supporting a great cause: 100% of proceeds directly benefit Cuplet Fern, funding our education and conservation efforts across Seminole and West Volusia.

Why join?
Preparing your native plants for the rainy season is vital for structural integrity, disease prevention, and managing that rapid summer growth. We’ll cover how to reduce wind resistance, prevent breakage during storms, and promote a healthier, more compact form for your plants.

What we'll cover:
Structural Integrity: Learn aggressive pruning techniques to minimize storm damage.
Rainy Season Strategy: Understand which native species benefit most from a hard prune before the summer growth spurt.
Wound Care & Aftercare: Master best practices to ensure large cuts heal quickly and keep pests at bay.
I hope to see you there!

06/15/2026

Please join us this evening, June 15th, for an insightful presentation by Alice Bard as part of our Protecting Paradise summer program series! 🌿 Alice will be discussing the "Restoration and Management of Biodiversity in Florida State Parks," drawing on her extensive thirty-six-year career with the Florida Park Service.

As a District Biologist for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Alice provides vital oversight for thirty-three parks across sixteen counties. Her deep field experience includes managing and documenting rare species, such as the endangered Clasping Warea (Warea amplexifolia). Alice has been a dedicated fellow member of Cuplet Fern, and her work continues to bridge the gap between state-level environmental management and community stewardship. 😊

Event Details:

- Time: Networking begins at 6:30 PM; Featured presentation starts at 7:20 PM.
- Location: Seminole IFAS Auditorium, Sanford.

We look forward to seeing you there as we learn more about the vital work being done to preserve our state's unique botanical heritage. 🌸

05/14/2026

Exciting news! 📢 Join us for the kickoff of our "Protecting Paradise" summer program series, featuring Graham Williams! 🌿

Graham, a Land Manager for the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD) and a past Cuplet Fern board member, brings extensive experience in managing Florida's diverse habitats and is a vital advocate for native plant and wildlife conservation. His expertise includes monitoring sensitive species and managing bird nesting programs for imperiled species.

Don't miss his presentation on the remarkable 25-year history of Red-cockaded Woodpecker (RCW) conservation at the Hal Scott Regional Park and Preserve. Graham will share insights on the crucial role of land management and prescribed fire in helping this endangered species thrive. 🔥🐦

📅 Before the talk, we will be hosting a community potluck! 🍽️ To ensure everyone can enjoy safely, please remember to clearly label your dishes, noting any common allergens or dietary restrictions. We also politely ask that you make sure your culinary creations are presented beautifully! ✨ We can't wait to see you there!

05/02/2026

Join us tomorrow, May 3rd, from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the beautiful Lyonia Environmental Center in Deltona for the final iteration of our 2026 Cuplet Fern Spring Book Club series!

We look forward to discuss "Nature's Action Guide: How to Support Biodiversity and Your Local Ecosystem" by Sarah Jayne. This book is a special resource, featuring a forward by the renowned Doug Tallamy. What makes this guide unique is its focus on transforming ecological anxiety into tangible local impact; it moves beyond theory to provide a roadmap for restoring the complex web of life right in our own backyards. It is an empowering call to action for anyone looking to make a measurable difference for our Florida pollinators and wildlife.

We are honored to have local author and fellow Cuplet Fern member, Fred Wascura, lead this session. Fred’s friendly facilitation and teaching style are first-rate, and we expect a cozy, small-group atmosphere perfect for meaningful conversation.

Whether you are just starting your native plant journey or have specific questions about Central Florida’s unique ecosystems, we invite you to stop by and participate. This event is free and open to the public.

Cuplet Fern looks forward to seeing you there!

04/28/2026

🦉 Explore the Wild After Dark at Lake Harney Wilderness Area! 🌿

Join Cuplet Fern and Seminole County Natural Lands for a special evening of "after-hours" citizen science! We are gathering this Friday, May 1st, to document the unique crepuscular and nocturnal species that call this property home.

Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just getting started, come help us observe the transition from twilight to night as part of the Lake Harney 2026 Spring Bioblitz!

📍 Location: Lake Harney Wilderness Area
⏰ Cuplet Fern Meet-up: 6:30 PM (to catch that magic twilight hour!)
🔦Official Event: 7:30 PM – 10:00 PM

✨What to Bring & Wear:
- App: Have iNaturalist downloaded and ready to go on your smartphone.
- Gear: Bring a flashlight or headlamp for when it gets dark.
- Clothing: Wear closed-toe shoes and long pants for trekking.
- Safety: Flashlight and Insect repellent is highly recommended! 🦟 🔦

The official event is a casual, self-guided opportunity for serious bioblitzers to get some unique night observations. We can’t wait to see what "nocturnal critters" we find!

04/23/2026

Cuplet Fern is excited to invite you to our upcoming native plants BioBlitz supporting our partners at Seminole County's Natural Lands staff. The event is free and open to the public.

What is a BioBlitz?
A BioBlitz is a communal effort to record as many species as possible within a designated location and time period. It’s a fantastic way to document local biodiversity while learning more about the flora and fauna that call Florida home. 🌿🦋

Event Details:

- Date: Saturday, April 25th
- Time: 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
- Location: Lake Harney Wilderness Area, 2395 Osceola Fish Camp Road, Geneva, FL
- Meeting Point: Please meet us at the parking lot to sign a waiver before we begin.

Important Requirements:
This activity is strictly an iNaturalist project. All attendees are encouraged to use the iNaturalist app to record their observations. Don't worry if you're new to the app—we will provide a short demonstration on how to record observations before we head out! Depending on turnout, we may split into smaller groups for more in-depth discussions and observations.

What to Wear & Bring:
For this field trip, we recommend wearing long pants, sturdy closed-toe shoes, a hat, insect repellant and sunscreen. Don’t forget to bring plenty of water and ensure your smartphone is fully charged for recording observations!

As Cuplet Fern continues to serve Seminole County in environmental education, we're proud to support this effort to document our beautiful native ecosystems. We look forward to seeing you there! 🔍🌱

04/22/2026