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Dade Native Plant Workshop
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Updated June 28, 2009. July newsletter posted.
Upcoming
Meeting in Dade
Tuesday, July 28, 2009.
6:30-9 p.m. (Not at Fairchild)
FNPS members and their
guests (children welcome) are invited to this event. If you are not yet a
member, please join so you can enjoy all the activities of the chapter!
Address and directions are in the print newsletter sent to members.
What: Annual Evening Yard Visit and Potluck Social.
Where: Home of a
member in Palmetto Bay.
When: 6:30 - 9
pm. Come as early as you can to fully enjoy the yard and evening. Guided yard
tour about 7 pm., dinner after the tour, followed by the plant raffle. You can
stay later to sit around a bonfire and chat (fixings for "somemores"
will be provided).
Bring:
- Potluck dinner
item or appetizer with serving utensil (the hosts will provide a variety of drinks, plates, etc.);
- Raffle plants;
- Lawn chairs if you want to be assured of a seat. Dress for heat and possible mosquitoes
(bring repellant just in case).
This 1.64 acre natural forest community contains hammock and wetland plants. Oaks and pines dominate the high ground, while swamp bay, Dahoon holly and even a pond apple are on the lower ground. The property slopes down to an area of very ragged Miami oolite rock - a Karst topography - indicating a previous seasonal flooding before a canal was made. The house was built into the hammock, using native Dade County Pine that was salvaged in the 1960s from huge piles of bulldozed trees waiting to be burned after land clearing for housing in South Dade. The house has a very open design, for good reason: no air conditioning. But it is very livable - amongst the natives!
September 22: "Alien Bee Pollinators Invade Florida." Dr.
Robert Pemberton of the USDA will discuss his research on the possible effects
of these new bees on the native and non-native plants which they visit.
| Past Meetings | To top of Page |
Upcoming
Field Trips
Saturday, August 1, 2009: Hattie
Bauer Hammock (former Orchid Jungle) in South Dade, acquired by the county in the late 1990s. We will
tour the hammock and historic buildings. The following description is from the
Miami-Dade County Environmentally Endangered Lands Program.
“It’s
easy to see why Lee Fennell, founder of the Orchid Jungle, fell in love with
Hattie Bauer Hammock. Everyone who gets involved with the preservation and
restoration of this site falls in love with it. It’s truly a special place.” -
Jane Griffin Dozier
Hattie Bauer Hammock is a 15-acre parcel of land with 9 acres of tropical hardwood
hammock and 6 acres of developed property. This site is situated at the
highest natural elevation on the Miami Rockridge south of Coconut Grove. The
site contains a number of birds and butterflies. The EEL program purchased the
site with the help of a grant from Florida Communities Trust. Prior to the EEL
Program purchasing the property, it was the location of the “Orchid Jungle”, a
popular tourist attraction that operated for over 70 years. As a result of the
“Orchid Jungle” operation, the site contains structures. While the EEL Program
and the Parks & Recreation Department’s Natural Areas Management have been
busy restoring the hammock, there has also been ongoing planning for the future
of the site a park. Hattie Bauer Hammock Park will feature an archeological
trail through the hammock, information regarding the site’s natural and
archeological history as well as a history of the “Orchid Jungle”.
Environmental educational programming will also be a component of the park.
- Leader: Tiffany Melvin, Biologist II, Miami Dade County DERM, EEL Program
- Difficulty: Easy on paths, moderate off-trail (pinnacle rock) if
you choose to make forays in to see specific plants.
- Bring/wear: Sun/bug protection, sturdy shoes, water.
- Post-trip: Lunch in a restaurant nearby, if you des
| Past
Field Trips | To top of Page |
Upcoming
Keys Branch Activities
The Keys Branch is on
vacation until November. Please have
your suggestions and volunteering spirit ready when the planning meeting occurs
after the summer break.
Chapter Workday at Everglades National Park
July 18 and August 15,
9a.m.-noon. Help with our
native plant habitat landscaping maintenance around the Coe Visitors Center.
Drinks, gloves, hand tools and bug spray are provided, but you may want to
bring your own and snacks to share. Bring sun protection! New helpers and
friends are encouraged to come. Everyone in your car gets into the park free
after the workday. For more information contact Patty Phares (305-255-6404, pphares@mindspring.com).
Dade Chapter
display at Butterfly Days
July 25-26 at Fairchild. We need: DCFNPS volunteers to help a few
hours (indoors); butterfly larvae, chrysalises, ova; native butterfly plants to
loan for display (container plants or cuttings). Please contact Patty Phares,
305-255-6404, pphares@mindspring.com.
The Dade Chapter's new
official telephone number for general
information is 786-340-7914.
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