INTRODUCTION

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary: flor-id (adj.) meaning "covered with flowers"or "very flowery in style."

Florida: The land of flowers… the brilliance of the color yellow… the radiance of a striking red… the serenity of a light blue… the richness of a golden orange… the romance of a passionate purple.

Since 1513, when Ponce de Leon named this paradise "Florida," native wildflowers have survived the pressures of progress, its population growth to more than 16 million people, and a lot of manmade changes to the natural landscape. Although native wildflowers and plants have survived, they are not without challenge or endangerment. The work of the Florida Wildflower Advisory Council acknowledges, strengthens and expands the economic, ecologic, and aesthetic significances of native wildflowers and plants. The Council exists to enrich the Sunshine State with its own native touches -- the abundance of native wildflowers and a public that is educated about their value and beauty.

As established by the Florida Legislature in 1999, the Florida Wildflower Advisory Council administers proceeds from sales of the State Wildflower Specialty License Plate. The Council supports research and planting projects to educate Florida's citizens and visitors about the natural beauty and heritage of Florida's native wildflowers. The Council oversees and directs a grant program from the proceeds of the Flower Wildflower license plate. From the sale of each license plate, the Council administers $15 for research and education projects and community-based native wildflower plantings.

Through a grants program, the proceeds from the specialty tag advance the use and knowledge of Florida native wildflowers, grasses and plants in roadside and urban beautification projects. The Council's goal is to increase availability of native wildflower and plants choices that are not only attractive, but also give a greater sense of the rich and unique flora of Florida as "the land of flowers." The Council defines native wildflowers as "flowering plant species native to Florida, with emphasis on herbaceous annuals and perennials."

Representing interests as diverse as garden clubs and governments to agriculture and highways, member organizations of the Flower Wildflower Advisory Council strive to advance the public awareness and education about the beauty and benefits of native wildflowers and plants. The Council also wants to increase research and knowledge about using and spreading native wildflowers and plants.

In September 2004, the Council signed an operating agreement with the non-profit Florida Wildflower Foundation, Inc. to award grants in the areas of Research, Education, and Community Plantings. Each year, the Council and the Foundation establish a budget for wildflower grants in the three categories. The grants support the goals of both the Council and Foundation.

Wildflower projects selected by the Council will allow millions of citizens to enjoy a spectrum of sparkling colors throughout Florida provided by abundant wildflowers. The Council wants communities to benefit from these enrichments to their natural surroundings. Also, parks, airports, office plazas, shopping centers, city and county properties, neighborhood entrances, and so many other sites can be supported and funded to grow, maintain and display native wildflowers and plants representing Florida's unique flora. Colors natural to the Florida landscape will abound everywhere and be easily and successfully grown. Already a new industry in wildflower-seed production is developing in Florida as more knowledge becomes available.