February Program of the Hernando Chapter
Exploring the Florida Trail

featuring Mitch Almon - Florida Trail Association in Hernando County
February, February 4, 2008 – 7:00 pm
Hernando County Cooperative Extension Service

Our program features a movie and presentation about the Florida Trail.This wilderness treasure covers the length of Florida. Over 50 miles are in Hernando County alone. Come see what is out there in your county. Plants, animals, rivers, uplands – from otters to cactus, it is all here in Hernando.

Mitch Almon is Trail Coordinator of Suncoast Chapter, Florida Trails Association. A resident of west central Florida for over 35 years, Mr. Almon has been involved in organized outdoor activities in this area for over 10 years. As an added bonus, he will lead a Richloam hike on Saturday February 9 on the recently reopened East Loop. Mitch says that those who only want to go 2-3 miles can turn back, rather than doing the whole thing. Bring food, water, and dress appropriately for weather. Meet at McDonalds. I-75 (exit 301) and SR50 at 8:30 am. Contact Mitch Almon mitchalm@bellsouth.net or 352-796-4740

Monthly meetings and programs of the Hernando Chapter are open to the public, free of charge. They are held at the Hernando County Cooperative Extension Office – 19490 Oliver Street (next to the County Fairgrounds) in Brooksville. For more information about this program or the Florida Native Plant Society, contact Cindy Liberton, liberton@earthlink.net or (evenings) 352-583-2384.

County Commission  Approves Water Wise Amendments in Hernando County

When our  Chapter’s new Conservation Chair, Mark Hutchison, invited County Commissioner Kingsley to attend the February meeting, we were very pleased. We were even more pleased during the February 15 Commission meeting on our county’s landscape ordinance, when Kingsley talked about his visit with the Society, and told the crowd that he wished everyone could see the beautiful yards landscaped with natives presented by Karina Veaudry, FNPS Executive Director.

His comments were followed by an unanimous decision by the Hernando County County Commissioners to add important provisions to the county’s  landscape ordinance. These provisions strengthen regulations effected with consultation and support of Hernando Chapter in June 2001. New provisions reduce allowable turf grass from 75% to 50%, require a 5-7% set-aside for commercial sites, and a performance bond linkedto compliance with regulations for new landscaping. Properties zoned Agricultural will observe a five-year waiting period prior to consideration for re-zoning.

We are grateful for the leadership of Hernando Audubon, with special note to Joe Murphy, Conservation Chair, and our own Debbie McKevitt who lobbied tirelessly for meaningful amendments, and made strong recommendations consistent with protection of native species. While the provisions adopted fall short of these recommendations, they represent both a large step in the right direction, and establish meaningful collaboration among the conservation advocacy organizations of the county. The Commissioners’ action supports future actions regarding water use reduction, with complementary preservation of Florida natural landscape.

The Hernando Chapter Board thanks Mark Hutchinson for accepting the Conservation Chairmanship, and look forward assisting him in voicing our mission during the critical days ahead on behalf of Hernando County’s native plant communities and the natural systems that support them.