Mikel (Miki) Renner – President
I've been an intermittent member of the Hernando Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society since meetings were held in Pasco County. The current meeting location is much more convenient. Although I'm not quite a native – I moved to the State at 9 years old – one of my longest running avocations has been Florida ecology with emphasis on plants. I've lived in Miami, Homestead, Micanopy, Gainesville and outside Brooksville and have traveled extensively throughout the State. Florida's unique habitats provide me solace and healing and I hope to give back a modicum of what I get. I'm also an environmental – water resource – planner by trade with over 25 years of professional experience in Planning. Through my profession I strive to make other's aware of the fragility of this magnificent State. Having traveled in Central America, the Caribbean, much of the U.S., Europe and China I still think Florida is one of the closest places to paradise we have. Let's get out there and teach others, but mostly appreciate her in all we do.
Officers
- Miki Renner, President
- James Clayton, Vice President of Events
- Cindy Liberton, Vice President of Admin.
- Judit Simpson, Treasurer
- Jason LaRoche, Secretary
- Brooke Martin, Chapter Representative
- Bruce Vanderveen, Webmaster
Committee Chairs
- Christi Anderberg, Refreshments
- Bruce Vanderveen, Membership & Webmaster
- Kristin Wood, Education, Programs
- Cindy Liberton, Public Relations & Media, Programs
- Traudl Heddleson & Rita Grant, Propogators
About our Board and Committee Chairs
The Hernando Chapter Officers are elected each year in
November, for
a maximum of four consecutive terms. The Committe Chairs are selected
by the President and serve at the pleasure of the President. All
committees welcome volunteers of all interest areas and talents.
Meet Some Board Members
Jason LaRoche
Secretary
I have been a member of the Hernando Chapter for over five years and serving as board secretary for four of them. I live in Shady Hills area of Spring Hill with my wonderful wife Rebecca and numerous misfit animals. I am a Florida native (like my plants) who grew up in Hudson with my folks and three brothers. My mother is mostly to credit for instilling my love and appreciation for gardening and nature from an early age. Growing up, I spent countless hours out in the Florida woods with my family and friends but it was not until my later years that I fully realized how fragile and precious natural Florida was. While in college, I began to see that the woods I had once cherished were now converted to strip malls and fairways for people with no clue or care for what was here before. I ultimately decided to steer my life and career towards natural sciences to try and protect our natural resources and environment. I am now a Professional Geologist and have been with the Southwest Florida Water Management District for the last ten years. Being a member of FNPS, and especially this chapter, has proven to be a perfect vehicle for my ambitions as a steward of natural Florida as well as my long-time love of plants.
Cindy Liberton
VP for Admin, Public Relations
I am a founding member of the Hernando Chapter and have met many of my closest friend among the membership here in Hernando and state-wide. Membership has also brought a greater understanding of plant species and their communities to my conservation advocacy efforts. After 25+ years doing Communications work at USF, I started a company in early 2009 that provides communications services to the environmental community in addition to the human services communities where I honed my tools. Economy-wise, it was an unfortunate time to start a company, but conservation-wise, it has been nice to see development slow down a bit in Florida.
Judith Simpson joins the Board in 2009
as Secretary, and now has taken on the role of Treasurer
Brooke Martin
Brooke Martin, in her first term as our Chapter Representative, has lived in Hernando County since 1980, starting out in Spring Hill, then "graduating" to the Ridge Manor area. She just recently retired from the Department of Health, Hernando County. She enjoys replacing all sorts of not very successful plants put in years ago with native plants she learned about since joining the HCFNPS in 2000. She has also recently become a Guardian ad Litem working with children who are under the supervision of the court. Her short-term goal is to install a squirrel-proof bird feeder to encourage her beautiful birds to return to the backyard.
Kristin Wood
Education Chair
I have worked for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for 18 years of which 14 years have been at Chinsegut Nature Center. Originally I hailed from Vermont, which is still a frequent vacation spot for me. I have been a member of the Native Plant Society for most of my years in the Hernando County area. I also serve as board secretary of the Hernando Audubon Society. My present position with the Commission is Nature Center Director at Chinsegut Nature Center. I enjoy birding, botanizing, reading and cooking.
James Clayton
VP for Public Education
Working on our Chapter Events is perfect for a guy who can't stand to miss anything. This is the same quality I brought to my stint as Chapter Rep for the Hernando Chapter. By day, I am a geologist at the South Florida Water Management District, and I enjoy proving that native plants can survive abuse in my Hernando landscape.
