FNPS 43rd annual conference opportunity for emerging professionals
Under 35 and working in the Florida horticulture or landscape industry? We’re offering stipends to emerging professionals attending the 43rd annual Florida Native Plant Society Conference April 2-6, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. See native plants in the wild, learn from scientists and conservation experts, and have loads of fun. March 29 application deadline.
We’re proud to sponsor the Florida Native Plant Society’s 43rd Annual Conference, “Seeds for Tomorrow,” held Thursday-Sunday, April 2-6, 2025, at the Hilton University of Florida Conference Center, 1714 SW 34th St, Gainesville, Florida. The Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS) conference brings together hundreds of the state’s most passionate native plant advocates for four days of presentations, field trips and social events. This event offers opportunities to see native plants in their natural habitats, learn about the plants from botanists, ecologists and enthusiasts; and expose yourself to the many ways that native plants support our lives. We’ll be there and hope you will be too.
OPPORTUNITY
$500 and $225 stipends for young horticulture/landscape professionals attending the FNPS conference for two or more days. Details below.
Stipends made possible by donors to the David Chiappini Education Fund.
ELIGIBILITY
Under 35
Currently employed, or self-employed, in a Florida nursery, garden center or landscape company
HOW THIS WORKS
You register for and participate in the conference at your own cost.
You apply for our stipend as soon as possible, and no later than April 7. Applications are open now, will be considered as received, and may close before April 7. Apply now if you are interested.
If we elect to grant you a stipend, we will notify you by email within seven days of receiving your application.
Payment will be made, by check or Paypal, after you participate in the conference and fulfill our requirements (below). Payments made directly to participants, not employers.
REQUIREMENTS TO RECEIVE PAYMENT
Approval of application by the Foundation.
Participation in the conference, evidenced by all of the following:
- Checking in with Foundation staff at our exhibit table at the conference on Friday or Saturday
- Providing us with a copy of your registration confirmation.
- Texting us your favorite selfie image from the conference.
- Sharing your conference experience with us at a to-be-scheduled virtual meeting (Zoom)
No payments will be made until all of the above have been completed.
$500 stipends will be granted for full conference registration including, at a minimum, one field trip and one evening social.
$225 stipends will be granted for a Friday or Saturday conference registration including, at a minimum, one field trip.
THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
Applications will be reviewed, first come, first serve, without individual identification and evaluated based on the input you provide.
All activities will be at your own risk.
Activities may be photographed, video- or audiotaped for educational, publicity and fundraising purposes.
You must register for the conference and arrange for your own housing and transport.
No stipend will be granted to anyone with a family or conflicting business relationship with any Foundation board member or staff.
No payment made until all requirements, stated above, are completed.
Application does not imply acceptance or grant. Funding is limited and the Foundation is under no obligation to grant stipends.