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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><a name="OLE_LINK1"></a><a name="OLE_LINK2"><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</span></b></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><br> <br>Contact: Lisa Roberts, Florida Wildflower Foundation, Maitland, FL <br> 407-353-6164; </span><a href="mailto:lroberts@flawildflowers.org"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>lroberts@flawildflowers.org</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Taylor, St. Johns, Flagler, Lee and Duval counties <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>adopt resolutions to conserve native wildflowers <o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=Default style='margin-right:8.1pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-right:8.1pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Five counties recently passed resolutions to conserve and preserve Florida’s native wildflowers. The resolutions adopted by Taylor, St. Johns, Flagler, Lee and Duval counties raise awareness of wildflowers’ environmental, historical and cultural significance. They also identify properties and roadsides within the counties as candidates for planting and reduced mowing, which allows naturally occurring wildflowers to thrive while saving county resources. <b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p><p class=Default style='margin-right:8.1pt;text-align:justify'><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";color:red'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>Besides being beautiful, Florida’s native wildflowers are essential to healthy ecosystems and the support of crop pollinators. They also create civic pride while contributing to the sense of place that is unique to <i>La Florida</i>, “land of flowers.” <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>With the 500<sup>th</sup> anniversary of <i>La Florida</i> approaching in 2013, counties that pass wildflower resolutions can be ready for the celebration. “It is clear officials in these counties understand that bountiful native flowers also hold the potential for economic benefits through increased ecotourism and beautification,” said Foundation Board Chairman Terry L. Zinn. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>The counties join Lake, Volusia, Brevard, Marion, Leon, Wakulla, Putnam and Gadsden in adopting wildflower resolutions. To learn more about Wildflower Resolutions being adopted across the state, visit </span><a href="http://www.flawildflowers.org/resolution.php"><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>www.flawildflowers.org/resolution.php</span></a><span style='font-size:11.0pt;font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"'>. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNoSpacing><b><i><span style='font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></i></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='color:gray'>Florida Wildflower Foundation<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='color:gray'>PO Box 941066<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><b><span style='color:gray'>Maitland, FL 32794-1066<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><a href="http://flawildflowers.org/"><b><span style='color:gray'>www.flawildflowers.org</span></b></a><b><span style='color:gray'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>