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We can’t celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the State Wildflower license plate without honoring the woman who made it all happen: Trenna Elizabeth Pate.

As FWF board member Jeff Caster put it, “Before anyone else, Elizabeth believed that a wildflower tag was possible and important for Florida. Once started, Elizabeth was unstoppable — joyfully motivating Garden Clubs across the state to collect more than 12,000 signatures supporting legislation to create the state wildflower tag. She was a visionary leader and deserves recognition for all the good that has blossomed from it.”

Elizabeth’s dedication to preserving Florida’s natural beauty through wildflowers fueled her longtime volunteerism with the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC), where she is a Hall of Fame member. She also served for many years as the state’s Roadside Beautification Chairman. In 2011, she received FWF’s Friend of Florida’s Wildflowers award. Following her passing later that year, the award was renamed in her honor and is now the T. Elizabeth Pate Coreopsis Award.

Click here to learn how remarkable leadership and partnerships helped bring this conservation initiative to life!

2025 Roadsides Program Wrap-up

This year, Citrus, Pinellas and Alachua counties were the focus of an effort to survey and document native roadside habitats. Working with county staff and volunteers, the Florida Wildflower Foundation and Dr. Jeff Norcini conducted vegetation surveys in spring, summer and fall. Surveying during peak bloom times in each season helps identify native wildflower areas with strong potential for passive restoration through reduced mowing.

Learn more about our Roadsides Program and how to get involved here.

Photo by Marina Mertz

Celebrating our newly elected board chair, Fatima Elkott! 

Fatima joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation board in 2022 and began a two-year term as chair this September. Her passion for preserving Florida's environment and supporting local communities is infectious, and her commitment to empowering young people to engage in local planning and preservation efforts is truly inspiring. 

Get to know Fatima! 

We are thrilled to welcome Ali Reiman to the FWF team as the Florida Native Seed Partnership Coordinator!

With nearly eight years of experience in local government, she brings expertise in environmental studies, community engagement, and program and grant management to the role.

Ali’s hiring marks a major milestone in establishing the Florida Native Seed Partnership, which held its first steering committee meeting on November 14. 

Get to know her here.

Our grant season is fast approaching, with applications for both our Viva Florida and Seeds of Knowledge grants opening on January 1, 2026.

If you’re looking to bring a native plant demonstration garden to a local community space, then Viva Florida may be the perfect fit. Learn more here.

Seeds of Knowledge is our newest grant program, helping bring native wildflowers to Florida libraries. Check it out.

Photo: Cape May warbler enjoying Seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens) in a Viva Florida garden.

Plant Profile Feature:

Meet the Hairy shadow witch

(Ponthieva racemosa)

This dainty and beautiful terrestrial orchid blooms from late fall through winter in forest hammocks across much of Florida. Get to know it here!

Looking for the perfect present for the Florida wildflower and wildlife lovers in your life? Our Holiday Gift Guide has you covered.

From ways to support the Foundation to unique home and garden gifts from local organizations and artists, you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list! Check it out here.

This Thanksgiving, we’re grateful for wildflowers, for pollinators and for everyone helping Florida bloom — one garden, one seed, one thoughtful gesture at a time.

From longtime advocates to those just discovering the joy of native plants, your support — through action, generosity or curiosity — helps Florida’s wildflowers and wild places thrive. And for that, we’re truly thankful.

2026 Field Trips

We are actively working to schedule our spring 2026 field trips and already have some wonderful outings lined up at incredible places across the state, including TNC’s Apalachicola Bluffs and Ravines Preserve, Archbold Biological Station and Deer Lake State Park. These opportunities are sure to be popular and sell out quickly.

Become an FWF member today for early registration access.

Check out our calendar for a full listing of upcoming events across the state!