Welcome to the Native Plant Demonstration Garden and Trail, marked in 2011 through the cooperative efforts of the Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, Walton County Master Gardeners, and Northwest Florida State College. The landscape architect, Kristen Koehnemann, drafted the original design. Since its fruition, the garden continues to evolve and take on new life each year.
The Native Plant Demonstration Garden is an inspirational site for public education featuring the best practices for native plant use, water conservation, and other Florida-friendly gardening techniques. The garden and trail familiarize residents, visitors, and students with some of the most common native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers that thrive in this unique ecosystem of South Walton County. Visit the garden and trail throughout the year to experience the seasonal changes in native plants.
Start-up funding for this project is from Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance, Walton County Master Gardeners, and Northwest Florida State College. As work progresses, business and individual contributions of dollars, garden supplies, plants, and labor are welcome.
Checks can be made out to the NWFSC Foundation (501.C.3) and earmarked for the “South Walton Center Demonstration Garden & Trail (SWCDG&T). They can be mailed to or dropped off at NWFSC, 109 Greenway Trail, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459. Donations are also accepted online by visiting www.nwfscfoundation.org and clicking on the donations button – be sure to specify SWCDG&T!