January 24, 2026 @ 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Nixon Smiley Pineland Preserve, Miami-Dade County
Florida Wildflower Foundation members can register for this field trip starting Friday, December 19. General registration opens Thursday, January 8. Become a Florida Wildflower Foundation member today for early access!
Join us for a guided walk led by a representative from Fairchild Botanical Gardens through the Nixon Smiley Pineland Preserve, a rare pine rockland habitat with elements of marl prairie. This site is home to an incredible diversity of native plants and pollinators, including locally rare species such as Asclepias verticillata, Orthochilus ecristatus and Elytraria caroliniensis var. angustifolia.
The preserve has no maintained trails, so expect an off-trail adventure along a service road and through natural areas. This is a unique opportunity to experience one of South Florida’s most endangered ecosystems up close.
There are no bathrooms or drinking water at the site, so please pack accordingly. Please come prepared in appropriate field attire and wear sturdy hiking shoes. A hat and/or other sun protection is also recommended.
The trip location will be emailed a few days before departure, along with details for a carpool meet-up location. Carpooling is encouraged to limit the number of vehicles at the site.
Registration is free for Florida Wildflower Foundation members and $10 for non-members. Email Rose Kinane to find out if your membership is current or needs to be renewed. To join as a member, visit www.FlaWildflowers.org/membership.