2016 Native Plant Industry Retreat in Sanibel

FANN and the Native Plant Horticulture Foundation invite the native plant industry and friends to a retreat Friday and Saturday, December 9-10, 2016, at the Historic Bailey Homestead Preserve on Sanibel Island, perhaps the first community in Florida to require the preservation and use of native plants in landscaping. The preserve has been recently restored by its new owner and host for our retreat, the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, whose Native Landscapes & Garden Center is a longtime FANN member and Native Plant Show sponsor. At the retreat, we plan to jumpstart a conversation about business transition planning, help set goals for our newly launched foundation and, in an internationally recognized paradise, relax, have those deep conversations that elude us during our busy days at work, and refresh our commitment to individual member success and industry transformation.

BIG THANK-YOU’S to Roger Triplett, Green Seasons Nursery and Bruce Turley, Wilcox Nursery & Landscape, for their generous financial contributions to making this retreat a reality.

RSVP required to attend retreat, please call 321-271-4885.

INFO on this page is being updated continuously. Check back frequently.

AGENDA is evolving and subject to change.

THURSDAY, DEC. 8

• Overnighters arrive (see lodging options below)
• Have fun with FANN friends (see dining options below)

FRIDAY Dec. 9

• Breakfast with FANN friends
• 9:00am Tour SCCF Native Landscapes & Garden Center
• 10:30am Retreat program starts
• 11:00am Business Transition Planning program with Eric Gall, Edison Avenue
• 11:45am Small Business Development Center program
• Noon FANN Annual Meeting, Election, Catered lunch
• 1:30pm Foundation Visioning Session: Native plants are essential to preserve biodiversity, conserve water and authentically define beautiful places. Plant quality and availability are still lagging, demand is increasing but still sluggish, and we don’t have enough professionals who know how to grow and use these plants. So how can we sustain and expand the native plant industry? FANN has launched the Native Plant Horticulture Foundation, a new public charity, to focus on this critical question. Come help us set direction and develop some near term goals. Brainstorm with friends and colleagues who share your values. Let’s create a future filled with native plants.
• 6:00pm Dinner with FANN friends at Cip’s Place on Sanibel
• After dinner, visit Point Ybel Microbrewery just off island

SATURDAY Dec. 10 – enjoy the island!
Board members and Native Plant Show team will be meeting separately.

RSVP required to attend retreat, please call 321-271-4885.

LODGING

ON SANIBEL ISLAND OPTIONS

Anchor Inn – $160+ with SCCF discount.
Sanibel’s “affordable” option, not on the beach but easy bike ride to the beach and directly across the street from the Bailey Homestead Preserve. Walk through the emergency entrance/exit and be at our meeting spot in 3 minutes! Jenny Evans will help you with that part. This is not luxury accommodations but just fine and most convenient. Call 239-395-9688, ask for Patty and tell her you’re part of the SCCF group. First come, first serve. Don’t wait.

Other recommended family-owned options:
Blue Dolphin Cottages on the beach on west end of island. Very popular, fills up quickly, friends of SCCF.
Jensen’s Twin Palm Cottages on Captiva Island (about 15 minutes from Bailey Homestead Preserve). Very fun old Florida place on the Pine Island sound, friends of SCCF.

Campers: check out Periwinkle Park & Campground! There’s a cool aviary with parrots, macaws, visiting ducks and wading birds. Free bird show every morning!

OFF ISLAND OPTIONS CLOSE TO SANIBEL

Corporate

Marriott Residence Inn, $100+/night

LaQuinta Inn, $75+/night Cammie has stayed here several times.

Old timey mom & pop

Fountain Cottages Inn, $80+/night with kitchenettes etc. Close to Sanibel. Check out their photo gallery! John Sibley from All Native says it’s well maintained and personally visited it.
www.fountaincottagesinn.com

RECOMMENDED DINING OPTIONS
We may be eating together at some of these places.

On island
Cip’s Place, a friend of SCCF and about 5 minutes from Bailey Homestead. Good food, bar and outdoor seating. Our group is eating here Friday night at 6:00pm.

Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – “Reliably good food” but pricey if you order entrees. Super popular so make reservations. 5 minutes from Bailey Homestead.
Gramma Dot’s Seaside Saloon – good food, small place at marina and does not take reservations. For dinner, arrive before 8pm.

Off island options
11:Eleven Cafe, famous for grilled cheese, more lunch like options but pares well with Point Ybel Brewery next door.
La Casita Mexican, small cute place
Plaka2, greek food

FANN is developing a craft beer outing plan. Stay tuned.

HISTORIC BAILEY HOMESTEAD PRESERVE
The Bailey Homestead Preserve is owned by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and includes 28+ acres of native island habitat, restored historic homes, walking trails and the foundation’s NEWLY REVAMPED Native Landscapes and Garden Center with demonstration gardens. Nursery Manager Jenny Evans is a member of FANN’s Board of Directors (and former treasurer). Nearby the preserve are the Sanibel Historical Museum and Village and the still operating Bailey’s General Store.

Frank Bailey arrived in Sanibel in 1894 and made his way hauling watermelons by horse and wagon to ship to Fort Myers, running a packing company, providing telephone and telegraph services and opening the general store. Bailey never missed an opportunity to fill a new business niche — something FANN members can appreciate.

More info on the Bailey family, homestead and preserve:
https://www.pressreader.com/similar/281479275809446

THINGS TO DO ON SANIBEL

Bring or rent a bike and kayak and be an islander for the weekend.

Go deep into nature with a visit to the J.N.”Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge.
5200 acres protecting one of our nation’s largest undeveloped mangrove ecosystems. Great place to see migratory birds. You can take a tram tour, self-guided bicycle or car tour or hike trails. Fishing and paddling opportunities. Visitor info: https://www.fws.gov/dingdarling/VisitorInformation.html

Enjoy Sanibel’s beautiful beaches. Sanibel has several public beaches to stroll and shell hunt. The most undeveloped beach is Bowman’s Beach on the western end, with mangrove lagoons. There’s an 1884 lighthouse on the east end of the island. If you’re really into shells, check out the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum.

History buffs should stroll through the Sanibel Historical Village, where historic buildings have been preserved. Much recommended but limited hours so be sure to check the website and plan in advance. You can also experience history, relax with coffee and find yummy things at Bailey’s General Store.

Thanks to FloridaRambler.com for suggestions.

SCENES FROM SANIBEL