Learn about native plants in your landscape at P&P meeting on Saturday, March 14

A Florida Wildflower Foundation expert will speak to P&P members and visitors at the Okeeheelee Nature Center.

Kati DeSutter, the South Florida Outreach Coordinator for the Florida Wildflower Foundation, will be the guest speaker at the Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 14, at the Okeeheelee Nature Center, part of Okeeheelee Park, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413.

The meeting is free and open to everyone -- current and past club members, club visitors and guests and the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive for socializing starting at 1:30 p.m.

Kati’s topic: “Native Plants for Florida Gardens”

Description: Kati will highlight a selection of species and discuss how to use them to transform your landscape into a living ecosystem with “real Florida” style. Florida is home to hundreds of native plants that make great additions to residential landscapes.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Kati DeSutter joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation in 2025 as its first South Florida Outreach Coordinator. A lifelong environmentalist, she is passionate about supporting native plants and biodiversity for the health of all living things.

She is currently studying Environmental Education with a focus in Early Childhood Education at FAU and assisting with research on the impact of Nature-Based Early Learning. She is focused on expanding the Foundation’s presence in South Florida and connecting communities with the region’s rich native plant diversity.

The Florida Wildflower Foundation's mission is to protect, connect, and expand native wildflower habitat through our education, planting, research, and conservation programs.

The foundation’s work is made possible primarily through sales and renewals of the Florida state wildflower license plate. These funds, along with donations and memberships, allow us to support and create projects that build awareness and knowledge of native wildflowers and plants in Florida.

MEETING REMINDER

--Who: Palm Beach Pack & Paddle Club

--What: March club meeting

--Speaker: Kati DeSutter

--When: Saturday, March 14, 2 p.m.

--Social time: Starts at 1:30 p.m.

--Where: Okeeheelee Nature Center, 7715 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33413

--Directions: From Jog Road, take Forest Hill Boulevard 1.2 miles west to Eshleman Trail (the second Okeeheelee Park entrance). Turn right (north) and follow the signs and road 1.6 miles to the Nature Center, which is in the back of the park.

--Questions: Text or call 561-312-2765

PRODUCE

Before the meeting: Please bring produce to support Okeeheelee’s ‘Animal Ambassadors’

Please bring your extra produce to the party. Produce can be placed on the table in the back of the meeting room.

Here are the produce and specialty items that will be particularly helpful to the Nature Center:

--Apples (loved by the deer and Paisley, the opossum)

--Carrots (for the deer, opossum and insects)

--Celery (favorites of the deer)

--Sweet Potatoes (loved by the deer, opossum and insects)

--Unsalted Almonds (for the deer)

--Canned Cat Food (loved by Paisley)

--Unscented “Puppy Pads for Paisley”

--Plain Epsom Salt (used by Luigi, the diamondback terrapin)

--Wild Bird Seed with no corn or fillers (for the local birds at the bird feeders)

(Note: Please do not bring citrus or iceberg lettuce.)

Produce donations help to feed animals throughout the beautiful natural area at the park. And our club receives credit for our produce donations!

REMINDER: We also have a donation jar on the table. Any monetary donations will be used to purchase produce for the next monthly meeting.

The Nature Center gratefully thanks you for your generous donations at each meeting.

EVENTS PREVIEW

Looking ahead: Our events preview slide show for the next four weeks!

Near the end of the meeting, we will view Michael Barr’s slide show presentation of upcoming events and trips that will include comments from trip organizers!

We will learn about events and trips for the next four weeks – plus trips that you will need to plan for far in advance!

WHERE TO FIND A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION:

NEW! You can now join or renew using our new Electronic Membership Form!

--ELECTRONIC MEMBERSHIP FORM:

Ready to join or renew for 2026?

Just click on our new Electronic Membership Form:

https://form.jotform.com/mbarrdragon2/pb-pnp-member-app-2026

--IN PERSON: Pick up a membership application at a club meeting or event.

QUESTIONS?

For questions about the Pack & Paddle Club’s meeting, please call or text 561-312-2765.