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Her Garden Will Continue To Grow

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By JOYCE McKENZIE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 16, 2008

THONOTOSASSA - Many who have come to know Shirley Denton portray her as one of Florida's most renowned scientists. They also describe her as a visionary, an organizer, a good communicator and one who is committed to the mission of the Florida Native Plant Society.

As such, it's no surprise to many members of the society that Denton holds the organization's top position, one of guiding and overseeing its 33 chapters scattered throughout the state.

Denton, who holds a doctorate in plant ecology, is serving her final year of a two-year term as president of the nonprofit group, a science-based organization dedicated to the preservation, restoration and conservation of Florida's native plants and native plant communities.

"I like to think the society is stronger because I've been president," said Denton from her Lake Thonotosassa home, which is laden with native plants that represent her passion for Florida's natural splendor.

Under Denton's leadership, several new chapters have organized, and society membership has grown to about 4,000, enabling the organization to increase its effectiveness and influence in preserving the state's natural resources.

"I'm personally very happy that we are a member of a coalition of conservation organizations that is pushing for the renewal of Florida Forever," a state of Florida conservation land acquisition program, she said. "We are also involved in several projects that will bring our model landscape guidelines to communities that need them."

She's also been instrumental in establishing a society grant program to help organizations restore plant communities embedded with invasive plants and to support rare plant species habitats. Through her leadership, the society has expanded its presence in foundations and committees that represent its members' interests, including the Division of Plant Industry, Endangered Plant Advisory Council and The Everglades Coalition.

In her professional life, Denton is an environmental consultant and vice president of Biological Research Associates, a company that provides environmental consulting for engineers, planners, governmental agencies and developers throughout Florida.

Environmental advocate Mariella Smith of Ruskin views Denton's career as a conflict of interest with the society's mission.

"She has worked against the environment around here," said Smith, who is a member of the local Suncoast Native Plant Society and the Sierra Club, a grass-roots environmental protection organization. "She uses her profession to give her credibility, and I think that's gallish."

George Kish, a hydrologist and Suncoast's past president, disagreed.

"I think she's a very active president and has made some good strides in getting us involved with other groups to help us preserve the native plant community," Kish said. "There is a lot of controversy over her, but I think it's been misdirected. Just because she works for a particular organization doesn't mean she's tainted."

Richard Wunderlin, a University of South Florida professor and past president of the Suncoast chapter, described Denton as a "fabulous person."

"She's made the society much more scientifically oriented, and in the years I've known her I have never known her to do anything that would be a conflict of interest," Wunderlin said. "The talk has basically been rumors that have not been substantiated."

Ann Redmond, the Florida Native Plant Society's vice president of administration, has worked closely with Denton on establishing guidelines for the organization.

"I think she's done a fantastic job in providing the leadership for what the Florida Native Plant Society can achieve," Redmond said. "She's been a great friend and a great mentor to me in the society."

Troy Springer, a Suncoast chapter board member and owner of Springer Environmental, a Dover nursery that deals primarily with native plants, said the "conflict of interest" issue bears no credence.

"A lot of people consider her as a lobbyist for developers, but I take all of that with a grain of salt," Springer said. "People are going to develop, but when they put in non-native plants on them, it changes the entire ecosystem. But, I believe Shirley has enough passion to want to save the land because she certainly is a lover of nature."

The Florida Native Plant Society Web site is www.fnps.org.

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.

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