Sad news: Mike Mingea, longtime native plantsman, gone

MICHAEL MINGEA, 67, died Sunday, April 10. Many FANN members will remember Mike from Green Images Nursery & Landscape in Christmas and Mike’s many years of service with the Florida Native Plant Society, Tarflower and Cuplet Fern Chapters, as well as a brief stint as FNPS Executive Director. Mingea was much beloved in Central Florida as a champion for tree canopy and native vegetation. A celebration of life will be held Saturday, April 23 at DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 N. Orlando Avenue, Maitland, FL 32751. Visitation begins at 11 a.m. with a service at noon, followed by a reception with food and beverages at the funeral home. If you would like to speak at the service, please contact Shari King at 407-496-2188. Thanks to Cuplet Fern Chapter FNPS and Tarflower Chapter FNPS for much of this information.

adapted from a professional bio of Mike’s:

Mr. Mingea was a specialist in evaluating trees and plants in the urban environment. He performed evaluations for damages and insurance purposes, as well as Environmental Impact Statements for Wetland Areas throughout Central Florida, taught classes for the Seminole County Agriculture Extension and participated in multiple community outreach programs through the Seminole County Master Gardeners. He served on the Orange County Hurricane Advisory and Restoration Board and was filmed by the Orange County Public Broadcast TV Channel for Adult Education. He was an advocate for Central Florida’s natural environment for decades.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Master of Science in Biology, Memphis State University
ISA Member since 1999; Taught Trees Florida class in Sarasota, 2009
City of Winter Springs: City Arborist, Environmentalist, & Horticulturist 1999-2011
Green Images Native Nursery, Research & Development/Plant Propagation 2001-Present
University of Central Florida Adjunct Professor of Biology – taught “Plants & the Urban Environment” Course 1993-1998
Florida Native Plant Society – Executive Director, 1992-1993
Orange Audubon Society – Former Board Member, 1984-1990