Roger Hammer, a professional naturalist and former manager of the Castellow Hammock Nature Center for the Miami-Dade County Parks Department for 33 years, will be the special guest speaker at the 2019 Gulf Coast Orchid Alliance Show and Sale at 11 a.m., March 9, at North Collier Regional Park, in Naples. Many orchids will be showcased and American Orchid Society judging will be held throughout the event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 8; 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 9; and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., March 10.

Hammer will focus on the many native and naturalized orchids that live between the Panhandle and the Florida Keys. He has received awards from the Florida Native Plant Society, Tropical Audubon Society and the North American Butterfly Association; an honorary Doctor of Science degree from Florida International University and has authored Everglades Wildflowers, Attracting Hummingbirds and Butterflies in Tropical Florida, Exploring Everglades National Park, Central Florida Wildflowers and Complete Guide to Florida Wildflowers.

Admission is $7 ($6 with ad). Location: 15000 Livingston Rd. For more information, call 239-269-6389, email [email protected] or visit GulfCoastOrchidAlliance.com.