Please register on our chapter’s Eventbrite page so we know who plans to attend: https://pinelilyft032820.eventbrite.com

Group field trip canceled but feel free to explore on your own.

During these chaotic times and evolving messages about the emerging coronavirus status, the Pine Lily Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society announces we will not be hosting organized field trips for March or April. While personal protection and sanitation are so important, getting plenty of rest, eating well, maintaining a positive attitude and emotional balance are also important for good health. Outdoor time helps me in that balancing act and it may help you too. Though we will not host organized walks, we encourage you continue to explore uncrowded nature trails and natural areas. Stay safe following social distance guidelines and stay healthy until we meet again.

Namaste

Eleanor Foerste, Education Chair”

Explore one of Osceola County’s First County Conservation Projects. Lake Lizzie Conservation Area consists of several parcels purchased with funds from both the state Conservation and Recreational Lands (CARL) program and the Environmental Lands Conservation Program, known as SAVE Osceola. The 1,076 acre preserve is located on Lake Lizzie, Bay Lake and Trout Lake in the Upper Kissimmee Chain of Lakes. This beautiful mosaic landscape is located off east US192 in St. Cloud. It now includes a Florida National Scenic Trail designation as part of the state-wide trail network. There are miles of trails.

The property protects important ecological communities such as lakes, wet prairies, freshwater marsh, wetland hardwood swamp/bay swamp, scrubby pine flatwoods and the imperiled sand pine scrub and xeric oak scrub. The diversity of communities represented within the preserve increase the potential for utilization by many protected species indigenous to the region. Several unique and important species, such as gopher tortoises, sandhill cranes, osprey, limpkins and wood storks have all been observed at the property. Several listed plant species, such as slender club moss, hooded pitcher plant, sand holly, cinnamon fern and the big yellow milkwort are also found on the property. Help us identify others!

Lake Lizzie is open to the public for passive recreational use and serves as a conservation area for native wildlife and vegetation habitat.