This is the most up-to-date listing of upcoming events for the Ixia Chapter. For a calendar of all events of the Florida Native Plant Society and its chapters, click on this link FNPS CALENDAR. You can also access all of FNPS's past Lunch & Learn series at this link LUNCH & LEARN ARCHIVE.
~ ~ ~
Please note that beginning with the February 11, 2026 chapter meeting, the meeting location will move from the Garden Club of Jacksonville to the Riverside Presbyterian Church (only 2 blocks up the street).
~ ~ ~
Field Trip Double Header – McGrits Creek Park & Sal Taylor Preserve
January 24
9:00 am to 10:00 am – McGrits Creek Park, 8435 118th Street, Jax 32244
11:00 am to 1:00 pm – Sal Taylor Preserve, 5813 Nathan Hale Road, Jax 32221
We’ll begin the morning with a relaxed, family friendly hike along a scenic 1-mile loop. This walk is suitable for all ages and is a great opportunity to observe native plants, wildlife, and seasonal changes along McGirts Creek. Park at the first picnic tables.
Google map link https://maps.app.goo.gl/VsbunGoZjM8ciMsX6
Later in the morning, we’ll head about 11 miles west to Sal Taylor Preserve for a more immersive hike of approximately 2-3 miles through pine flatwoods trails. This portion of the trip will highlight the ecological diversity of the preserve and the unique plant communities that thrive there. Meet at the trail head parking lot.
Google map link https://maps.app.goo.gl/yh3dmtqATWy5H2Ud6
You’re welcome to join us for one hike or both! Come celebrate the new year outdoors and deepen your connection to Jacksonville’s natural landscapes.
Participants should dress for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes and bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water, snacks and any other items you may need for an outdoors walking event. A hat or cap is also recommended.
The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required.
~ ~ ~
Boone Park 100 Year Celebration
January 24, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm – Boone Park South, 3725 St. Johns Ave, 32205 (corner of St. Johns & Van Wert Avenues)
The Friends of Boone Park South will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Boone Park on January 24 from 1 pm to 4 pm. There will be lots of fun activities to highlight the history and nature of the park. Children’s activities will include collecting leaves and making imprints and rubbings.
Ixia Chapter director Adam Saffles has created a 30-stop guided tour with a mix of history and plants, including many of the native trees. Seed packets of native plants will also be given away.
The tranquil 26 acres of Boone Park is bisected by Herschel Street and is supported by active volunteer groups, Friends of Boone Park South and Friends of Boone Park North. The park has mostly shaded walking trails, tennis courts, playgrounds, pickleball courts, picnic areas, restrooms and more.
No registration is required.
~ ~ ~
Native Park Workday
February 14, 9:00 am to Noon - Native Park, 3306 Park Street, Jax 32205
This is the Ixia Chapter monthly workday in our adopted Native Parks to remove weeds and perform other maintenance. Come anytime and work for an hour or two. Bring gloves, your favorite garden weeding tools, water and any other refreshments & snacks you like. Dress for the weather & wear closed toed shoes. You will learn about native plants and meet people with shared interests in gardening and native plants. No RSVP is required to participate. The workday may be cancelled or postponed without advance notice in the event of imclement weather.
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
February 11, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Recognizing Excellence: Local Award Winning Projects
Winners of three awards will be recognized for their award winning projects in 2025. The speakers and awards are:
-
Atlantic Beach 2025 Residential Conservation Champ of the Year Award - Amy Franqui, Member, Atlantic Beach Environmental Stewardship Committee and Master Gardener Volunteer, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
-
FNPS Award for Garden of Excellence for the UNF Bioswale Garden - Rhonda Gracie. Horticulturalist and Landscape Designer, University of North Florida
-
-FNPS Award for Garden of Honor at the St. Augustine Welcome Center - Nick Freeman, Owner, Wacca Palatka Landscape Design & Services
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Weed Wrangle®
February 21 & 28, Various Locations
In connection with Invasive Species Awareness Week, the First Coast Invasives Working Group will be working with local governments and other organizations throughout northeast Florida to remove invasive plants from parks, preserves and other public areas as part of the annual nationwide Weed Wrangle® event.
This is a great opportunity to get outdoors and help keep our public spaces free of exotic species that may outcompete native plants and degrade their habitat. Ixia Chapter volunteers will be participating at some of these events so come out and join us.
There are over a dozen Weed Wrangle® events scheduled in Jacksonville, Fernandina Beach and St. Augustine. For a list of locations, dates, times and contact information, view or download the flyer at the link below.
LINK: Download Weed Wrangle® Flyer
~ ~ ~
Field Trip - Theodore Roosevelt Area (Willie Browne Trail)
February 22 , 9:00 am to noon – Theodore Roosevelt Area (Willie Browne Trail), 13217 Mt. Pleasant Road, Jax 32225
The Theodore Roosevelt Area is a place where people can leave the everyday pressures and stresses of life behind and enter a world where their senses can indulge in the sounds, smells, and sights of “Old Florida.” The park is a gift given to the people by an insightful man, Willie Browne, who lived his entire life upon this property. Towards the end of his life, he became worried that Jacksonville would become a “concrete jungle” with no wild areas remaining. People offered Willie millions of dollars to buy his land, but he declined and donated the land (for free) so that future generations would “have a place in the woods to go to.”
Participants should dress for the weather, wear closed-toed shoes and bring insect repellent, sunscreen, water, snacks and any other items you may need for an outdoors walking event. A hat or cap is also recommended.
The event is free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required.
LINKS: Google Maps Location TRA Brochure & Map Mark Wood Story about Willie Browne book
~ ~ ~
A Day of Gardening
February 28, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm – Duval County Extension Office, 1010 North McDuff Avenue, 32254
The Ixia Chapter will be participating in the annual A Day of Gardening event at the Duval County Extension Office on February 28. This annual event features speakers on all sorts of gardening topics, vendors selling merchandise and organization like FNPS promoting their missions. Click the link below to view the agenda and purchase tickets. The event usually sells out so if you are planning to attend you should purchase your ticket soon.
LINK: ticket link not yet available
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
March 11, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Prescribed Fire and the Benefits to Ecosystems
Speaker: Jennifer Walls-Klindt, Biological Scientist, Florida Forest Service
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
April 8, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Archaeobotany: Botanical Archeology
Speaker: Lee Newsom, Emerita, Dept. of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, Governor's House Cultural Ctr & Museum, Univ. Florida, St. Augustine, USA
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
May 13, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Creeping Up The Coast: Climate Drivers of Florida's Changing Landscape
Speaker: Larry Figart, Urban Forestry Agent, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
June 10, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Homeowner vs Invasive Plants, The Battle Begins at Home
Speaker: Stephanie Means, Florida Yards & Neighborhoods Program Assistant, UF/IFAS Duval County Extension
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
September 9, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: The Role of the St. Johns River Water Management District in Preserving Public Lands
Speaker: Chris Kinslow, Land Resource Specialist, St. Johns River Water Management District
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
October 14, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Regional Reslience Action Plan
Speaker: Fara Ilami, Regional Resiliency Manager, NE FL Regional Council
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Chapter Meeting
November 11, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Topic: Overview of the University of Florida Herbarium
Speaker: Alan Franck, Herbarium Collection Manager, University of Florida Herbarium
Our chapter meetings are free and open to the public. No RSVP or registration is required. Bring a friend or two!
~ ~ ~
Winter Social
December 9, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm - Riverside Presbyterian Church. 849 Park Street, Jax 32204 (social period 6:00-630 - presentation begins at 6:30)
Details will be provided later
Looking for great native plant content? Check out all of FNPS's past Lunch and Learn series at this link.
The map below shows the location of Native Park
