Art & Wine Gala Celebration & Fundraiser
Friday, October 8, 2021
6:30 PM 9:30 PM
194 NeoCity Way Kissimmee, FL, 34744 United States (map)
We're announcing our first ever Art and Wine Gala for operation RRRCORA. Shortly before he passed, Ron Kirkland, a local artist and board member donated over 100 pieces of his work to our organization because he believed in our mission, and wanted us to reach our goals. His work will be displayed and available in the silent auction during the event. We do ask for attendees to RSVP for this free semi-formal to formal event. You can get more event details by visiting https://www.swampgirladventures.org/events
Please help us spread the word and making the event a success by sharing!
To celebrate National Moth Week - Bleeding Flower Moth (Schinia sanguinea) on Blazingstar (Liatris sp.), Lower Wekiva River Preserve, Seminole County, FL. https://nationalmothweek.org/ Photo by Mary Keim
About Us
The Pine Lily Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society serves Osceola County and the surrounding communities. Our Chapter is restoring nature one garden at a time by encouraging the use of native plants throughout our public and private landscapes. Planting Florida natives can help save water, reduce maintenance and pesticide use, and invite beneficial pollinators (food for birds). Restore a sense of place in your community by providing important habitat for our wildlife, and help us preserve our very special ecosystems.
Downloadable Documents
To learn about native plants and why they are important to have in every landscape, see the downloadable documents on this website under Resources > Educational Documents
Founding Member Loret Thatcher
by Jenny Welch and Ginny Stibolt
Ms. Loret Thatcher passed away on May 7, 2021
Loret Thatcher also known as Loret Setters in her informational blogs, was originally from New York. One of the first things she did when coming to Florida was to learn about our Florida native plants and join the Florida Native Plant Society Pine Lily Chapter.
She joined with great determination, enthusiasm, passion and eagerness to learn. She began as Pine Lily’s newsletter editor. She went on to do an amazing job with publicity that grew the Chapter.
Loret became a Citizen Scientist and shared what she learned by posting to a blog she started called “What Florida Native Plant Is Blooming Today?”
She chronicled what was blooming in her own yard with many detailed notes from her research. This was followed by blog called “Tales of a Central Florida Wildlife Garden” and “Central Florida Critter of the Day”. All of the blogs were wildly successful and followed by people around the world. Loret’s exacting information and the manner in which she cited resources were an excellent source of information about native plants and insects at a professional level.
In addition to the blogs, she was a member of two team blogs: Beautiful Wildlife Gardens and Native Plant & Wildlife Gardens along with top garden writers around the country.
Her excellent photography of native plants, butterflies, and insects have been everywhere including Alabama Butterfly Atlas, Earth and Space News, The Humane Gardener, and others. Her photography was also on exhibit at the Palm Beach Photographic Centre for 3 months for the Going Native exhibit.
Loret was a local activist against putting a road through Split Oak Forest Wildlife and Environmental Area. She was also a local activist against putting coal ash into Osceola County landfill and political corruption.
Loret was a private person and did not talk much about her past. She overcame her disability of severe scoliosis and her battle with colon cancer. She did prefer to share her love for and stories about her dogs, mostly elderly setters that she adopted and cared for. Her name on Facebook, Loret T. Setters, illustrates both her desire for privacy, educating others about native plants and insects and her love for her English Setter dogs.
