Volume 3,Number 3 :: June 2012 Springing into nature!cupletfern.fnpschapters.org/.../frondforum2012-06.pdf · 2014-05-27 · Frond Forum 3June 2012 June Chapter Meeting & Field Trip

2012-13 BOARDPresident: Beth Jackson

Vice President: Sherry Williams Secretary:Vacant Treasurer:Susan Blount-AngermeierPast President:Neta Villalobos-BellChapter Representative:Neta Villalobos-BellDirector/Membership:Graham WilliamsDirector: Vacant

2012-13 COMMITTEESNewsletter Editor/SocialMedia/Publicity: Shari [email protected]: Charles Miller

Cuplet Fern ChapterFlorida Native Plant SocietyPO Box 150021Altamonte Springs, FL 32715

MEETING LOCATION:Sanford Garden Club200 Fairmont DriveSanford, FL 32773sanfordgardenclub.org

Volume 3, Number 3 :: June 2012

Springing into nature!The Cuplet Fern Chapter Board set a 2012 chaptergoal to identify a local value-added program thatpromotes outdoor and nature activities for youth.The program chosen was Eco Camp, hosted bySeminole County Leisure Services, held at TheEnvironmental Studies Center during winter andspring break and in the summer. The chaptersponsored two campers for the Spring Break Campin March. Sisters Julielenet and Angelica Lynchwere the recipients of the scholarships.

“The girls ended up being our Counselors In Trainingand did an amazing job,” said Lori Hartsock, ProgramCoordinator for Seminole County Greenways andNatural Lands. “They helped set up and clean up forprojects that the campers were doing, helped takephotos during camp, and even created a Power Pointpresentation for the last day of camp with some ofthe photos taken during the week.

“I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your groupdonating the two scholarships that allowed thesegirls to go to camp,” said Hartsock.“I know they hada great time and the teachers truly appreciated alltheir help!”

It was so successful the Chapter Board has voted tosponsor two more children for this summer. The

application and more information can be found onPages 6 and 7. Please distribute this form to anyoneyou know who might be interested. If you have anyquestions, please call Neta at 407-302-7616.

“Thank You” from Julielenet and Angelica

Frond Forum 2 June 2012

Thank You:Thank you to Deborah

Green, Cuplet Fern

Chapter Board

Member, (upper photo)

for presenting the April

meeting about Why and

How Plants and Insects

Depend on Each Other,

and to Mike Martin

Florida Forestry

Service (lower photo)

for presenting the May

meeting about Seminole

State Forest. (And

thanks to Charles

Miller for the photos!)

WELCOME NEWCHAPTER BOARD

Although there were no “new” members elected to theChapter Board at the May member meeting, the Boardpositions have changed. Please welcome:

President: Beth JacksonVice-President: Sherry WilliamsTreasurer: Susan AngermeierSecretary:VacantMembership: Graham WilliamsMember at Large:VacantCommunications: Shari KingWebmaster: Charles MillerChapter Rep: Neta Villalobos-Bell

We are still seeking a Secretary and one Member at Large.

The Board meets monthly, Tuesday a week after the monthlymember meeting, 6:30pm, in Altamonte Springs close to SR436 and I-4. If you are interested in native plants and want tohelp support the chapter mission, please call Neta at 407 302-7616 or talk with any of your Board members aboutparticipating. Thanks.

Work continues at Crystal Lake Preserve in Lake Mary

Left photo: Cuplet Fern Chapter members partner withlead organization Seminole Audubon Society. Right

photo: Neta Villalobos-Bell and Kermit Hunnicutt dig into install a point of interest post on the trails.


June Chapter Meeting& Field Trip

Monday, June 11, 7 p.m.Sanford Garden Club200 Fairmont Drive, Sanford

PROGRAM :: Natives in the Urban Landscape Miguel Garces,ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Account Manager in charge of theupkeep of most of the common areas in Baldwin Park, the walk-ablecommunity in Orlando, is our guest speaker. He will describe theprocess and challenges of landscaping zero size lots, community openspace, and downtown areas. (For more information on Baldwin Park,please go to Page 8 to see a story excerpted from the May 2012 BaldwinPark Living community magazine.)

JUNE FIELD TRIPSaturday, June 16, 9 a.m.Baldwin ParkMeet at Harbor Park, in the Village Center, near the fountainand Lake Baldwin (New Broad Street)

Guided Walk through Baldwin Park Landscapes :: Miguel Garces,ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance Account Manager in charge of theupkeep of most of the common areas in Baldwin Park, will guide a walkthrough Baldwin Park’s natural landscapes, spotlighting the use of nativesin the urban landscape. This is a great opportunity to learn from ourguide and get ideas for your own yard.

July Chapter Meeting

Monday, July 9, 7 p.m.Sanford Garden Club200 Fairmont Drive, Sanford

PROGRAM :: Salvaging the Real Florida. Author BillBelleville recounts eco-adventures in the backcountry of theFlorida Keys, on the Suwannee River, in the swamps of theWekiva, and in freshwater spring and cave systems around thestate. For more information on Bill Belleville and the program,please see Page 4.

JULY FIELD TRIPNo field trip is planned due to the expected hot weather.

IF YOUMISSED THISFIELD TRIP,YOU MISSEDA LOT!

This fellow was spottedon the May field trip toSeminole State Forest.

Look for more photos fromthis field trip and April andMay events, as well as acalendar of upcomingmeetings and field trips, andmuch more in a “special”July edition of FRONDFORUM.

Bill Belleville at arecent naturejournaling workshopheld at Lake HarneyWilderness Area.Look for the story onthe workshop in theJuly 2012 FrondForum. (Photocourtesy of G.K.Sharman)


Cuplet Fern Chapter, Florida NativePlant Society is pleased to hostauthor Bill Belleville at their July 8meeting.

“Salvaging the Real Florida” recounts author BillBelleville's eco-adventures in the backcountry of theFlorida Keys, on the Suwannee River, in the swampsof the Wekiva, and in freshwater spring and cavessystems around the state.

Of Bill’s work, best-selling New York Times writerCarl Hiaasen has said: "Bill Belleville writesgorgeously and straight from the heart."

During the program, Bill will read from“Salvaging” and show nature photos toillustrate.

“Salvaging” was recently honored with the topaward in the Literature-Natural History category from the National Outdoor Book Awardfoundation. Bill’s five other books include “Deep Cuba.” “River ofLakes,” and “Sunken Cities, Sacred Cenotes and Golden Sharks:Travels of a Water-bound Adventurer.” His book “Losing it All toSprawl: How Progress Ate My Cracker Landscape” was named oneof the “best books” in the country by the National Library Journalin 2006. Bill has also contributed to nine anthologies, including "BestTravel Writing” and more recently “Bartram’s Living Legacy:TheTravels & the Nature of the South.”

He’s scripted and co-produced documentaries for PBS, and withPhilippe Cousteau, produced a radio documentary for NPR’s “Livingon Earth” on the manatees of Blue Spring. Bill’s traveled widely

overseas for the Discovery Channel, and has been a Writer inResidence at USF’s graduate “Florida Studies Program.” He lecturesthroughout the state on behalf of the Florida Humanities Council,He lives in Sanford. For more information, please visitwww.BillBelleville.com.

The regular month chapter meeting will begin at 7 p.m. at theSanford Garden Club, 200 Farimont Drive, in Sanford.Thepresentation is open to the public.

‘Salvaging the Real FloRida’

Author to speak in July

NOW AVAILABLE!Two styles of totes

screen printed with theCUPLET FERN LOGO!

ONLY $18


By Deborah GreenOutgoing Chapter Representative

The Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) just completed anotherfantastically successful annual conference May 17-20 in Plant City,sponsored by the Suncoast and Hernando Chapters.

Due to work commitments, I was only able to attend for one half day,but I could see the excitement and great turnout.As I wrote last year,when our chapter was one of the hosts of the 2011 conference inMaitland, the conference is the heart of the FNPS. It's a time to go onfield trips that can allow you to learn how others have landscaped theiryards or what natives grow in what natural habitats. It's a time to renewfriendships you have made on field trips from past conferences. It's atime to hear exciting keynote speakers and talks on a wide variety ofnative plant topics.

And perhaps best of all, it's a chance to purchase native plants from adozen or so local native plant vendors. I already have all the commonlocal native species in my yard, so I seek the rarer species in theconference plant sale.This year I focused on adding a few more speciesof ferns and Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa).

Yes the conference costs a bit - $75 per day before the earlyregistration deadline this year, in part a fundraiser for the society - butif you love native plants, maybe you can prioritize it for next year. Nextyear's conference is again mid-May and this time in Jacksonville. I knowI'll be there again. (Photo courtesy of the FNPS Facebook page.)

Another great conference!

By Beth JacksonIncoming ChapterPresident

On May 12, members from theTarflower, Pine Lily, Heartlandand Cuplet Fern native plantsociety chapters went in search ofrare plant species in the Dry Prairiehabitat of the Lake Wales RidgeState Forest.We were searching forblue butterwort, yellow butterwortand Calopogon multifloris.

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest islocated in Polk County and is 26,563acres in size. Some of the rarehabitats that are found on the Forestinclude scrub, and dry prairie, rareanimal species that can be found onthe site include the Scrub jay, SandSkink and Scrub lizard. Plantenthusiast will be able to see rare

and endangered plant species suchas the scrub plum, pygmy fringe tree,scrub blazing star, and bear grass.

Members of the various chapterssplit into four groups so that wecould survey more of the property,alas none of the groups found theplants we were searching for thatday but we did forge new friendshipswith fellow plant enthusiasts. Someof the plants that our groupobserved were Hypericumfasciculatum, Sabatia grandiflora,Polygala rugelii, Polygala lutea, andthe insectivorous sundew.

A good time was had by all and wehope to survey the tract in the fallduring wildflower blooming season.

Lake Wales Ridge State Forest:The search for rare plants


26 Baldwin Park Living

Community wins award for use of Florida-Friendly Landscaping practices

Greatscapes’

By Shari King // Editor

27May 2012

INFo: there are also areas in baldwin park that are planted primarily with plants native to Florida, which further enhances the principles of Florida-Friendly landscaping. these areas include mid lakes park and the areas surrounding lake baldwin. cuplet Fern and tarflower chapters of the Florida Native plant society (fnps.org) invite all baldwin park residents to join them at 9 a.m. on saturday, June 16, for a guided walk through baldwin park’s natural landscapes, spotlighting the use of natives in the urban landscape. meet at harbor park, near the fountain. please rsvp to [email protected]. For more information on Florida-Friendly landscaping, visit floridayards.org

Baldwin Park recently applied for and won an award for the use of “environmentally sound landscape,

wetland, preserve and lake management policies.” The award was given at the annual Florida Communities of Excel-lence Conference in March. The award represents the pinnacle of achievement for community associations in the state.

The award program is the first and only comprehensive, independent recognition pro-gram for the tens of thousands of community associations throughout Florida. For winning organizations, the designations are a point of pride for current residents and a powerful differ-entiator for communities seeking to attract new owners.

Florida-Friendly Landscaping means using low-maintenance plants and environmentally sustainable practices. The approach is designed to help com-munities lower utility bills, improve the health and beauty of their landscape and contribute to preserving Florida’s natural environment.

What follows is the information prepared for the award submission by resident John Griffin along with Miguel Garces and Rob Maier from ValleyCrest Land-scape Maintenance.

Right plant, right place This is the foundation for long-term success. Baldwin Park, like any commu-nity, has its own characteristics. It’s very important to be aware of them to make

the correct plant selection.

The landscape architects at Glatting Jack-son (now AECOM) were commissioned with the important task to select and design the landscape at Baldwin Park. Soil samples, plant exposure and water needs were taken into consideration to make the right selection. An approved plant list was compiled with species that would thrive in the current conditions and adhere to the community design standards desired.

ValleyCrest Landscape Development did the installation. Correct planting and establishment is also very important for the future sustainability of the landscape. Right depth and appropriate watering

during establishment are two of the main considerations. Something to consider is that sites also evolve as time goes by due to tree canopy growth, new exotic pest establishment, water availability and quality changes, etc. ValleyCrest Landscape Maintenance has maintained the landscape since it was turned over to the different associations within Baldwin Park.

It’s very important for the crew to be in tune with those changes and adapt the agronomic program and plant replace-ment recommendations when needed.

Water efficiently All the irrigation in the common areas was professionally designed by Prevost

>>

Above photo by Miguel Garces / Left photo by Shari King

28 Baldwin Park Living

Stamper. Hydrozoning, grouping and designing the irriga-tion according to water needs was the basic principle for the design.

Rain sensors were installed in all clocks to turn off the irriga-tion during a rain event. Drip irrigation was installed where appropriate. ValleyCrest has two fulltime irrigation technicians at Baldwin Park who perform monthly inspections, repairs and clock adjustments. Baldwin Park’s irrigation system is very large, so as mentioned in other articles, we welcome residents’ help reporting broken irrigation. ValleyCrest has installed and is testing, at no charge to Baldwin Park, several new high-tech clocks that have soil moisture sensors, take evapotranspiration rate of plants in consideration and water accordingly.

Fertilize appropriately ValleyCrest uses 50-percent slow release nitrogen formulas, which means that half of the fertilizer starts working right away and the other half becomes available to the plant gradu-ally according to plant’s needs. This is very important to protect underground waters and prevent unneeded excessive growth.

The fertilizer formulas used also contain no phosphorus to promote healthy water bodies, since phosphorus is believed to promote algae blooms that affect fish populations. All Val-leyCrest crewmembers that apply fertilizer to plant material have to take the Green Industries Best Management Practices training. Miguel Garces, the ValleyCrest account manager, is certified by the State of Florida as an instructor in English and Spanish in an effort to ensure that the water resources within Baldwin Park are protected.

Mulch The use of mulch is very important for the landscape. Mulch prevents weeds, and maintains even temperatures and mois-ture in the soil. There are only three types of approved for use within Baldwin Park: pine bark nuggets, pine needle mulch and brown shredded mulch.

There is no perfect mulch. Pine bark nuggets last longer but float and get displaced with heavy rain events. Pine needle mulch does not float, and it is believed to reduce the pH of soil, but it decomposes and fades quicker than pine bark. Brown mulch does not float as much as pine bark, but it doesn’t last as long. The appropriate mulch is selected and used in the different locations at Baldwin Park.

Attract wildlife One of the best amenities of Baldwin Park is the amount of water bodies located throughout the community. These water bodies attract different species of water birds, otters and fish. Some of the ponds have wood duck boxes and nesting platforms for ospreys to nest. In some instances alligators and snakes have been spotted, so always be aware that these are natural areas and approach them with caution.

Celebration of Light“Trade -in” Summer Event

Cameron’s Design NEW program allows clients to “trade-in”

their old blinds for a discount towards for new Hunter Douglas products including our SUMMER SPECIAL on Plantation Shutters.

Cameron’s Design1467-A Lake Baldwin Lane • Orlando, FL 32814

407.893.4999 • Cell 407.733-3727email: [email protected]











Cameron’s Design’s NEW program allows clients to “trade-in” their old blinds for a discount toward new Hunter Douglas products

including our SUMMER SPECIAL on Plantation Shutters.

email: [email protected]

29May 2012

Manage pests responsibly ValleyCrest uses Integrated Pest Management principles when con-trolling pests at Baldwin Park. This means being able to correctly indentify the problems and treat them in a timely manner, and with the most effective and least harmful approach to the environment possible.

Recycle Yard debris is currently collected and taken to a landscape-only re-cycling facility that uses it as mulch or compost. The mowers have mulching kits that shred the clippings and put them back providing nutrients back to the turf areas. The crews mow over landscape debris when possible to recycle it back in to the soils as well.

Reduce stormwater runoff All the ponds at Baldwin Park were designed to collect and filter rainwater. Some of these ponds are connected and equipped with pumps that maintain the appropriate levels using the existing water.

Protect the waterfront All the ponds at Baldwin Park were originally planted with benefi-cial aquatics that provide habitats for fish and birds, filter con-taminants, and prevent and reduce erosion. The ponds are main-tained monthly and mikania vine, cattails, torpedograss and other nuisance weeds as well as algae are treated at that time. ] Ph

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by M

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Melaleuca Mulch For SaleMelaleuca mulch is an environmentally friendlyalternative to cypress mulch that retains water, repelspests, and looks good. For everything wrong withcypress mulch, see FNPS’ Cypress Mulch brochuredownloadable from our website under docs.

In contrast to ecologically important cypress, themelaleuca tree is a serious pest species in SouthFlorida. The Army Corp of Engineers sprinkled theseeds around the edges of the Everglades in the early1920s as a way of drying the then-hated “swamps.”Both through its prolific seeds, which germinatereadily, and through vegetative reproduction,melaleuca out competes native vegetation. Toeradicate it in Everglades National Park and southFlorida preserves takes a tremendous expenditure,and efforts must be ongoing.

In case anyone is confused, the Ti tree (a.k.a. tea tree)that is sold as Tea Tree Oil is a different species,Melaleuca alternifolia, and is harvested in its nativeNew South Wales. Our invasive species is Melaleucaquinquenervia, was introduced from Australia to dryup the Everglades.

The University of Florida discovered that our invasivemelaleuca is resistant to termites and nematodes andthat mulch made from it retains these properties.

Forestry Resources, Inc. out of Ft. Myers is the solemanufacturer of melaleuca mulch, which it markets asFlorimulch in 2 cubic foot bags. According to theirwebsite www.gomulch.com, the company’s efforts

have removed this invasive tree from approximately1600 acres of South Florida. Florimulch is producedfrom the heartwood of the tree which avoids theseeds. The mulch is also composted for severalmonths, which further ensures that seeds will notgerminate.

Several years ago, Albertsons carried Florimulch, butit is now difficult to buy it outside of southwestFlorida. Recognizing its value, the Osceola CountyMaster Gardeners have secured the distributionlicense for Central Florida.

The Cuplet Fern Chapter hasmelaleuca mulch available at the

price of $3.50 per 1.5 cubic foot bag.To put in your order, email Charles Miller at

[email protected]

Documents

Volume 3,Number 3 :: June 2012 Springing into nature!cupletfern.fnpschapters.org/.../frondforum2012-06.pdf · 2014-05-27 · Frond Forum 3June 2012 June Chapter Meeting & Field Trip