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WEBINAR – Seeds of Knowledge Demonstration Garden Grant

November 19 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Join us on Wednesday, November 19 at 2pm for our webinar “Seeds of Knowledge Demonstration Garden Grant” presented by Marina Mertz, Roadsides and North Florida Programs Coordinator for Florida Wildflower Foundation.

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Join us for an overview of the Florida Wildflower Foundation’s newest grant program, Seeds of Knowledge Library Demonstration Garden Grant. This grant brings public awareness to support a growing interest in native plants. As community hubs and centers of learning and activity, libraries attract and serve a diverse population of varying races, ages, genders and socioeconomic backgrounds, many of whom may not be aware of the importance, function and beauty of native plants. As such, libraries present a unique opportunity to showcase native plants and the pollinators they attract to a large and potentially unfamiliar audience by way of small native plant demonstration landscapes.

The grant’s objective is to familiarize people with a wide array of native plants, demonstrate their landscaping potential, and highlight their crucial role in supporting local wildlife. This is achieved through demonstrative gardens featuring educational elements, alongside a seed library that distributes Florida native seeds suited to the region.

Presenter: Marina Mertz

Marina Mertz is a lifelong Floridian with a passion for preserving Florida’s beauty for future generations. She began her work with the Florida Wildflower Foundation in 2022 as a contractor, serving as the Panhandle Wildflower Alliance liaison. In 2024, she transitioned to a full-time role within the Foundation as the Roadsides and North Florida Programs Coordinator, where she continues to work with local advocates, Foundation members, municipalities and FDOT to establish and maintain wildflower corridors on roadsides, utility easements, public gardens, libraries and schools.

Marina holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a graduate certificate in urban and regional planning from Florida State University. She is a certified Florida Master Naturalist and has a Level 2 CyberTracker animal track and sign certificate. She will happily talk scat along the trail!

A cluster of purple coneflower plants with pink petals and orange centers growing outdoors in a garden setting.
Purple Coneflower (Echinacea purpurea) at Fort White Library by Emily Bell.
Person in a neon yellow vest and orange cap kneels in a field with wildflowers, holding a notebook. Trees and a road are in the background.

This webinar will be recorded and available on our website 48 hours after the event. A link will be sent to all those who register. Only the first 500 attendees will be able to enter the webinar; if we reach capacity before you join, you can view the recording that will be emailed to you.