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Native Eryngium in the Florida Panhandle, photo by Eleanor DietrichSOLD OUT
WILD MEADOW MAGIC – FALL 2022
Continuing education & networking event for horticulture, landscape & environmental professionals
Thurs-Friday, Oct 6-7, 2022, Panama City FL Region
Through expert guided field trips, you will gain a better understanding and appreciation for how and where certain plants occur in natural systems. We will discuss certain core species found in high index natural areas that can be propagated and used for restoration. We’ll also cover the importance of fire for the long-term persistence of meadow systems and how it drastically reduces the use of pesticides. You’ll leave with new and useful insight about native plant communities to apply to large- and small-scale restoration with native plants.
Enjoy a social event with colleagues Thursday night at the E.O. Wilson Biophilia Center with a featured presentation by Carol Denhof, President of The Longleaf Alliance.
The Florida Panhandle is a top 10 hotspot for biodiversity in the U.S. Scroll to bottom for more trip specifics.
CEUs for landscape architects, designers, installers, maintenance firms, horticulturists and restoration professionals.
Limited to 35 registrants & SOLD OUT
WHERE TO STAY
THREE FANN rate options below & numerous other options on your own
Hilton Garden Inn Panama City Airport – MAIN EVENT HOTEL – convenient for inland field trips, brand new with numerous amenities including cool fire pit lounges all over the place for late night networking. 20 minutes to the beach. Hot, cooked to order breakfast for 2 included in rate.
FANN rate: $159 from Wed Oct 5 thru Sun Oct 9, king or two queens. RESERVE BY SEPT 7
SpringHill Suites Panama City Beach – ON THE BEACH, 2 queens with sofa bed, inland view or gulf view and balcony, includes breakfast. 25 minutes from main event hotel above.
FANN rate: $159 to $209 from Wed Oct 5 to Monday, Oct 10. RESERVE BY SEPT 14
TownePlace Suites Panama City Beach PIER PARK, not on the beach but close and a more economical option, great for families. Breakfast included, fully equipped kitchen, walk to restaurants. King studio includes sofa sleeper. 16 minutes from main event hotel above. Close to Russell Fields Pier.
FANN rate: $119 from Wed Oct 5 thru Sun Oct 9, king or double queen suites. RESERVE BY SEPT 20
THURSDAY NIGHT 10/6 ONLY – bunkbed in cabin shared with 4 other adults on the grounds of Nokuse Plantation. Shared bathroom, airconditioned, front porch. Just $50 for the night, check in 4pm Thursday, check out 11am Friday. Option presented during event registration. SIGN UP BY SEPT 12.
CAMPING OPTIONS
The Panhandle is crazy popular with snowbirds & more, so state parks fill up fast and may be full, watch for cancellations. Also check Airbnb & VRBO.
Pine Log State Forest – available sites when we checked, RV & tent camp sites, very close to event programs
Grayton Beach State Park – RV & tent camp sites near beach, no availability when we checked
St. Andrews State Park – RV & tent camp sites near beach, no availability when we checked
Topsail Hill Preserve State Park – RV & tent camp sites + Fancy Camps Luxury Camping (glamping!), no availability when we checked
INSTRUCTOR GUIDES & FIELD TRIPS
All trips require carpooling and easy-moderate hiking in sandy and moist areas.
Thursday, Oct 6, 2022
Instructors/Guides: Northwest Florida Water Management District (NWFWMD) Restoration Ecologist David Clayton and Joe Reams, owner, Southern Habitats native plant nursery, consulting and restoration firm.
Morning trip to Sand Hill Lakes Mitigation Bank, 2155 acres of wetlands, natural lakes, ponds and upland communities, including hydric pine flatwoods and sandhills. Participants will see the importance of plant selection, planting techniques and controlled burns.
Picnic lunch sponsored by Southern Habitats.
Afternoon trip to Pitt Spring, Sylvan Spring and Willford Spring, second magnitude springs with acres of recreational trail and boardwalk systems, hydrologic and bank stability restoration, native plantings.
** Evening Native Plant Café event sponsored by the Native Plant Horticulture Foundation and featuring Carol Denhof, The Longleaf Alliance, details to be announced. Separate registration may be required.
Friday, Oct 7, 2022
Instructors/Guides: NWFWMD Restoration Ecologist David Clayton, Jim Moyers, Biologist, Conservation Park, City of Panama City Beach, and Joe Reams, owner, Southern Habitats native plant nursery, consulting and restoration firm.
Morning trip to Lafayette Creek, 3160 acres including rolling and stream-dissected hills, steephead ravines, hydric flatwoods and wet prairie restored from titi swamps, and sandhills restored from timbered sand pine. Learn about planting tens of thousands of plants and see rare and endangered species.
Afternoon trip to Panama City Beach Conservation Park, 2900 acres of recreational area and restored natural areas including pine forest and the use of city reclaimed water to rehydrate wetlands and preserve bay water quality.
Event Chair: Joe Reams, Southern Habitats and FANN Board Member
Questions or suggestions about this event or anything else? FANN loves to hear from you. Contact us.
*FANN is a licensed provider #0005309 of continuing education credits for landscape architects and community association managers, Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation.