ST. LUCIE CO., Fla. — The Florida Master Naturalist’s St. Lucie Chapter and the Friends of the Savannas Preserve State Park are partnering up to offer a Grass Identification Workshop on Saturday, Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. to noon. John Bradford and George Rogers will lead a short workshop on grasses and grass-like plants for beginners.
The presenters have co-authored a book, “Guide to the Native Plants of Florida’s Treasure Coast.” Their grasses program originated in the horticulture department at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens as a “mutual effort” between John Bradford, George Rogers and June Wilkinson, all of whom wanted to learn the local grasses and flora.
Bradford is an avid naturalist, amateur taxonomist and photographer. His macro and color-enhanced photographs bring these species to life in both a documentary and fine art style. He is a volunteer with Martin County Environmentally Sensitive Lands and has contributed to the Palm Beach State College Manual of Cultivated Plants for South Florida.
Rogers is a Professor of Horticulture at Palm Beach State College. His interest of warm climate grasses goes back to a study of the grasses of Barbados.
The program will begin in the classroom with a discussion about distinguishing grasses from grass-like plants, such as sedges and rushes, and the local history of these plants. Then, participants will go on a short hike through the beautiful flatwoods of the Savannas to learn to recognize, by sight, some of the major examples in our region. The course will finish up with some additional investigating and identification with the use of a dissecting microscope.
A $5 donation at the door is suggested to support the continued preservation and interpretation of the Savannas Preserve State Park, and the environmental programming offered by the Florida Master Naturalists’ St. Lucie Chapter.
Reservations are required and may be made by calling 772-398-2779 (Savannas Education Center.) The program will be taught at the Savannas Preserve State Park Education Center, located at 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie, 34952
What: Grass Identification Workshop
Guest Speaker: John Bradford and George Rogers
When: Saturday, Jan. 13 from 9 a.m. – noon
Where: Savannas Preserve State Park, 2541 SE Walton Road, Port St. Lucie
Registration: Required
Information: Savannas Preserve State Park, 772-398-2779
–St. Lucie County, Florida
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