Words from FNPS President Mark Kateli
Hello everyone, I’m Mark Kateli, your Florida Native Plant Society President. Though I’m more productive behind the scenes, I realize I’ve become a bit of a household name in Central Florida- especially with longtime members. I’m blessed to serve the creative and active Cuplet Fern of Seminole and West Volusia. I’ve been a member of FNPS for 12 years and I credit a lot of my native plant knowledge to the generous forerunners, mentors, and friends that happen to be members just like you.
At Allen David Broussard Catfish Creek State Park earlier this year- one of my favorite winter places. It also holds the title of my very first field trip with FNPS from years ago.
You can dust for my fingerprints all over the five Central Florida counties of Lake, Seminole, Orange, Volusia, and Osceola- this is where I call home. I’ve enjoyed spearheading a lot of events (no exaggeration)- outreaches happen to be a passion and prowess of mine. From the rare plant count, hosting a microconference, creating native plant demonstration gardens, organizing native plant Spanish talks, one-of-a-kind field trips raising money for causes, to a native plant art oasis; I’ve officially lost track of everything I’ve churned-out. They’re just part of breathing at this point. Though, their sweet successes have likely brought me to this special moment in time.
At the 13th Annual Florida Scrub Jay Festival in Deltona earlier this year. Photo courtesy of Randy Barber and Hometown News Volusia. I absolutely love educating the general public about our native plants.
My drive within FNPS remains broad and diverse with an education-centered fire. I relish in innovative, yet executable ideas that help keep our nonprofit on the lips of people across the state. My mentorship style is equal parts trailblazing and patient as I’m a king and queen maker of those that put in the work. It would be very remiss of me if I didn’t state how much love I have for this Society- some of the most memorable events could not have happened without a shared, higher vision: there is no greater Florida native plant collaborator than an FNPS member, no entity more faithful in support than a sister chapter.
With local commissioner and previous member of the Florida Senate, Lee Constantine, celebrating Native Plant Month in 2019. It took a year and half to convince the Board of County Commissioners to place an innocuous proclamation celebrating native plants on their docket in time for October.
Humor is an enviable quality as it not only has the capacity to disarm unplesantries, but also to unlock meaningful relationships.
I strongly align myself with kindhearted thinkers, and attract them to productive projects they can personally champion. If you're a focused, decisive, yet creative soul that is enthralled by our plants, I must hear from you. Email me at mkateli@fnps.org as I enjoy networking and furthering native plant mindfulness- from the field, garden, kitchen counter, interior design, music, games, podcasts, and beyond. I wear the ‘Plant Nut’ badge proudly just like you. Find me and my telltale straw hat somewhere out there making a difference.
Teaching Boy Scouts the ropes on plant rescue and relocation in Seminole County.