Aquatic Plants of Florida

APF

APF seeks to recognize these innovative organizations for the challenging work that they do.

Partners include:

Friends of the Environment (www.friendsoftheenvironment.org), an organization with over 400 members, dedicated to preserving and protecting terrestrial and marine environments in order to achieve sustainable living for the wildlife and the people of Abaco, Bahamas.

Areas of organizational focus include: environmental education, sharing knowledge and methods for the control of invasive species, recycling, terrestrial parks and preservation, and marine parks and preservation.

Pinellas County Watershed Management Division’s Lakes & Ponds Day (www.pinellascounty.org), an innovative educational initiative providing a 1-day seminar to educate county residents and businesses about stormwater pond maintenance and native plant landscaping.

Importantly, native plants provide a primary connection between the base of our food chain and higher forms of animal and plant life. They also improve the water quality of our rivers, lakes and bays by functioning as cleansing agents.

Mote Marine Laboratory’s (www.mote.org) Marine Aquaculture Program in the Center for Aquaculture Research and Development dedicates its work to developing the technologies needed to raise fish species with high market value and/or high recreational demand. This program investigates a variety of marine finfish and invertebrates. Knowledge gained from this research will be used to produce fish for stock enhancement and food.

Stetson University is the first major institution of higher education in the United States to have a policy of using only native plants for landscaping on its 174-acre main campus in DeLand, Florida. The university, through its Native Plant Initiative (www.stetson.edu/plants/), has emerged as an early leader and advocate of native plant landscaping and education. Additionally, Stetson College of Law in St. Petersburg, Florida offers programs in biodiversity and environmental law.

Taste of the Suncoast combines the time, talents and resources of the area’s finest chefs and restaurants to support All Faiths Food Bank. Ticket holders enjoy free food, beverages, live musical entertainment and a silent auction. A Taste of the Suncoast is major annual fundraising event. For information call: 941-379-6333

Aquatic Plants of Florida was an event sponsor and auction participant. At this past year’s event, the company purchased a black and white, Big Cypress landscape photo by Clyde Butcher, which is proudly displayed in the reception area of its business offices.

Other past donations and important community project recognitions include:

Aston Elementary School
City of Hawthorne
Carlie Bruscha Pond Memorial