6/14 Next Central West FMNP Regional Mtg--Save the Date!

Note: This is the draft agenda.   Central West Region FMNP Workshop June 14, 2008 9:30am – 2:00pm (come early for coffee & snacks)   "Being Stewards of Florida : Positive Individual Impacts on Privately Owned Land" 7901 Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota 34243 Hosts: Steve and Maria Warden, Debbie Dixon Guests Welcome Please RSVP to Steve by email: stephenwarden@comcast.net Or phone: 941-360-6816   Florida has an enormous amount of land in private ownership. Each tract has an ecological importance and tracts combined can be the difference between species diversity and species extinction. Together, we make the difference.   Please join us for our next quarterly Central West Region FMNP Workshop in Sarasota with our hosts Steve and Maria Warden, and instructor Debbie Dixon.             8:30am – 9:30am                Doors Open - Coffee -  Healthy Treats 9:30am – 10:00am              Welcome, Introduction and Background – Steve Warden 10:00am - 12:00pm                        Being Good Private Property Land Stewards Creating Wildlife Habitat with Beautiful Ponds By Russ Hoffman, Aquascaping/Pond Expert & Steve Warden Guided Property Walk 12:00pm – 12:45pm           Lunch—supplied by our hosts 12:45pm – 2:00pm             Regional Discussions & Networking – Jeanne Murphy    Directions: From I-75…Take exit 213-University Parkway . West on University about 4 miles to Lockwood Ridge Road . Turn right (north) for three quarters of a mile to 7901 Lockwood Ridge Road .  You will pass Glenbrook Apartments and Vintage Creek subdivision.  As soon as you see La Petite Academy, slow down.  Ours is the very next driveway.  There is a green mailbox bearing the numbers 7901, but no name.       "Creating Wildlife Habitat with Beautiful Ponds" Russ Hoffman, manager, Beautiful Ponds lake management company Stormwater ponds are functional flood control systems that we can use "give a little back" to nature and wildlife. Learn how to plant native wildflowers and native aquatic plants in the water and around the shore of stormwater ponds in your neighborhood. These ponds become living laboratories where neighbors watch beautiful birds, butterflies and dragon flies from their back porch. Creating beautiful aquascapes increases neighborhood appreciation for nature, native plants and environmental stewardship. This presentation includes handouts for plant selection, design and safety. Learn easy ways to encourage your neighbors to embrace native plants around your lakes. This might be the first step for your neighborhood to "go native."