Keith Clark - Flamingo Gardens

Connecting Communities Through Conservation: The Everglades Outdoor Classroom

At Flamingo Gardens, we believe that nature is not just something to admire—it’s something to engage with, learn from, and protect. That’s why we’re excited to introduce the Everglades Outdoor Classroom, a new initiative that will bring immersive environmental education to our visitors. In collaboration with the Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation and funded through a dual grant from the Community Foundation of Broward, this project will connect two prominent Broward County locations—Flamingo Gardens and the Museum of Discovery and Science (MODS)—to inspire a deeper understanding of Florida’s unique ecosystems.

A Corridor of Conservation
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is designed to highlight our vital connection to nature, focusing on the Florida Wildlife Corridor and the impact of urban sprawl on native wildlife. While MODS will explore urban wildlife, Flamingo Gardens will immerse visitors in the rich biodiversity of Everglades wildlife, with emphasis on the importance of conservation.
Through engaging interpretive signage, hands-on learning activities, and natural materials that reflect the landscape, our outdoor classroom will provide a dynamic space for both facilitated and self-guided exploration for both children and adults. The experience will underscore how our own backyards serve as essential extensions of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, helping to maintain crucial habitat connectivity.

What to Expect
• Flamingo Gardens’ Everglades Outdoor Classroom will be a thoughtfully designed outdoor learning space that will:
• Engage visitors of all ages through interactive exhibits, sensory experiences, and nature-inspired creativity.
• Showcase keystone species of the Everglades, illustrating their role in maintaining ecological balance.
• Provide accessible learning opportunities as an extension of the Mary N. Porter Learning Center, ensuring inclusivity for those with visual, hearing, and mobility challenges.
• Empower our visitors and Eco-teer volunteers to lead sustainability initiatives and advocate for climate resilience.
• Strengthen community awareness of how local conservation efforts contribute to the greater Florida Wildlife Corridor.

Flamingo Gardens has a proud history of offering specialized educational programs for groups such as the Lighthouse of Broward, Deliver the Dream, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. The Everglades Outdoor Classroom will build upon this tradition by creating even more opportunities for hands-on environmental education for communities with special needs.

Building a Lasting Impact
The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is more than just an exhibit—it’s a movement toward a healthier, more resilient environment for all. The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is just the first of a series of planned exhibit spaces that together will combine to be the Everglades Discovery Trail. By strengthening environmental literacy, inspiring conservation action, and emphasizing the importance of wildlife corridors, we hope to cultivate a legacy of stewardship that benefits generations to come.

We invite you to join us on this journey of discovery and conservation. Stay tuned for updates as we bring the Everglades Outdoor Classroom to life and mark your calendars for our Earth Day 2025 grand opening!

Together, we can make a difference—one lesson, one connection, and one backyard at a time.

The Everglades Outdoor Classroom is in collaboration with:

Florida Wildlife Corridor Foundation
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservations Commission
Museum of Discovery and Science
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park

Support has been provided by the following funds at the
Community Foundation of Broward:
Mary N. Porter Community Impact Fund
Mary Alex Mackenzie Community Impact Fund
and The Frederick A. DeLuca Foundation

With additional support by:
Bass Pro Shop & Cabela’s Outdoor Fund
Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation
Helen Ingham Foundation
Lakeside Foundations
and numerous private donors

Remembering Buddy: The Heartbreaking Tragedy of Wildlife Trafficking

Two weeks ago, Flamingo Gardens suffered a heartbreaking loss when our beloved panther, Buddy, went into cardiac arrest during a medical examination. The procedure was prompted by a sudden and dramatic decline in his health, and despite our best efforts, we were unable to resuscitate him.

A necropsy conducted by Dr. Hirschfeld of Hirschfeld Veterinary Consulting, Inc., and confirmed by the Bronson Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, revealed that Buddy had been suffering from severe congenital defects and multiple organ diseases—conditions that were ultimately shutting down his body. Most notably, he had microcardia—an abnormally small heart, comparable in size to that of a 12-pound domestic cat rather than a 120-pound panther. His heart’s thickened ventricles impaired its ability to function properly, making resuscitation impossible. In addition, he showed signs of advanced lung disease, liver and kidney failure, and fibrosis in multiple major organ systems.

These congenital defects were almost certainly the result of inbreeding—a tragic consequence of captive breeding within the illegal wildlife trade. Whether taken directly from the wild or irresponsibly bred in captivity, trafficked animals face a lifetime of hardship. Buddy’s origins remain uncertain, but we know that he was found as a tame six-month-old cub wandering the streets of Parkland after escaping from an unpermitted residence where he had been illegally purchased. His genetic abnormalities strongly suggest that he was a product of reckless captive breeding, highlighting the devastating consequences of wildlife exploitation.

Despite his underlying health conditions, Buddy was given six years of comfort and care thanks to the dedication of his caretakers at Flamingo Gardens. Panthers are masters at concealing illness, and had he remained in captivity without proper care, he would have endured a slow and painful decline. While his passing was inevitable given his condition, his loss is deeply felt by all who knew and loved him.

Buddy’s story is a powerful reminder of why we must continue to fight against wildlife trafficking and advocate for the protection of native species and their habitats. Though his life was tragically shaped by human greed, his final years were filled with love. In his memory, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and advocating for wildlife and so other animals do not suffer the same fate.

Why Climbing 85 Feet Matters for Eagle Conservation

Flamingo Gardens’ Wildlife Rehabilitator Shannon Gallagher recently participated in an important project with the Wildlife Rescue of Dade County’s Bald Eagle Banding Day. As part of the project, Shannon successfully retrieved two six-week-old eaglets from their nest – 85 feet up in an Australian Pine tree – allowing the team to band them safely on the ground.

Now that these eaglets are banded, they can be tracked through banding reports, providing valuable insight into their movements and survival. In addition to banding, the team collected key biometrics, blood samples, and feathers to assess the eaglets’ health and determine their sex.

When asked about the importance of this process, Shannon explained, “Tracking migration patterns helps us understand where these eagles go, and if they don’t survive, we can retrieve their bodies and determine the cause of death. The bands are color-coded to their permit, making identification easier. Birds of prey are indicators of environmental health, so monitoring them is essential. Their size tells us a lot about their overall condition. Collecting biometrics is crucial, but tracking where they end up is even more important – we still have so much to learn about their journeys. After all, these things have wings.”

During the process, Shannon also removed litter from the nest, including a piece of clothing that had been brought in by an adult eagle. Items like this pose a serious choking hazard and entanglement risk, making their removal critical for their safety.

The nest where these eaglets hatched is part of the monitored Rose and Ron Eagle Nest Cam, which streams live on YouTube for public viewing. All of these acts were done under proper licensing and permitting with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). This eagle banding event will be featured on Jeff Corwin’s Extraordinary World on CBS, with an air date to be announced.

Shannon’s hope is, “that these eaglets are never touched by humans again and can live long and healthy lives.”

A special thank you to Lloyd Brown, CWR, for his mentorship and for providing Shannon with this incredible opportunity.

BAMM! Discover Cultural Treasures in Your Backyard!

BROWARD COUNTY, Fla- September is Broward Attractions and Museums Month (BAMM), which encourages visitors to experience the diversity of cultural treasures throughout Broward County. During September, visitors may buy one admission and get a second admission for free to 14 participating museums and attractions in Broward County, while seven additional museums offer free admission, as part of the BAMM promotion.

Adventures await you right outside your door! Discover new artists or ancient artifacts, ride on a riverboat or an airboat, explore a botanical garden and historic house or feed a fla-mingo…and so much more.

Participating attractions and museums include:

· Art and Culture Center/ Hollywood (BOGO admission)

· Bonnet House Museum & Gardens (BOGO admission *self-guided tours only)

· Butterfly World (BOGO admission)

· Coral Springs Museum of Art (Free admission)

· Flamingo Gardens (BOGO admission)

· The Frank Art Gallery (Free admission)

· Historic Stranahan House (BOGO admission *online reservation encouraged)

· History Fort Lauderdale (BOGO admission)

· Island SPACE Caribbean Museum (BOGO admission)

· Jungle Queen Riverboats (BOGO *90-minute cruises only *online reservation re-quired)

· Museum of Discovery and Science (BOGO *Tuesdays excluded. Adult purchase re-quired)

· NSU Art Museum Fort Lauderdale (BOGO admission)

· Old Davie School Historical Museum (BOGO admission *online reservation required)

· Plantation Historical Museum (Free admission)

· Pompano Beach Historical Society (Free admission *reservation required)

· Sawgrass Recreation Park (BOGO admission *online reservation required)

· The Sample McDougald House (BOGO admission)

· Stonewall National Museum & Archives (Free admission)

· Studio 18 Art Complex (Free admission)

· World AIDS Museum (Free admission)

· Young At Art Museum (BOGO admission)

Visitors just need to mention “BAMM” or inquire about the offer at the facility’s ticket booth to purchase one regular price admission and get a second admission of equal or lesser value for free. (Some organizations may offer the discount online using BAMM as the promotional code.)

Participating organizations may have additional restrictions or blackout dates that apply, as well as additional discounted offers available. No other offers, discounts or coupons may ap-ply. Visitors should check each attraction’s website or call for details, hours of operation, and other updates before visiting.

Broward Attractions and Museums Month is September 1-30, 2024. Visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BAMMsfl for additional information.

New Owl Alley Aviaries Open

Thanks to grants from the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation and the The Batchelor Foundation, as well as contributions from many generous donors from our 2023 Summer Appeal letter, the Owl Alley at Flamingo Gardens’ Bird of Prey Center has been completely rebuilt and is now open once again.

The new Owl Alley features four wood and wire aviaries, partially covered with a tin roof, and a covered walkway connecting to the Hawk Walk, recently rebuilt thanks to a grant from the Freed Family Foundation.

The new aviaries are home to house barn owls, great horned owls, barred owls, and screech owls. Each aviary is outfitted with new nesting boxes and perches. New signage is in the works. We greatly appreciate the support of the Leslie L. Alexander Foundation and The Batchelor Foundation for their generous gifts, and the many others that donated to the campaign, as do the owls!

Flamingo Gardens Makes a Big Impact!

Flamingo Gardens made a big impact in 2023 with the most visitors and the most animals rescued in our 97-year history. The work of our Volunteers and the opening of our new Butterfly Conservatory helped expand our Environmental Conservation impact even more!

Environmental Education:

249,415 guests, almost a quarter million people, visited Flamingo Gardens in 2023. Of that total, 44,904 children and adult participants attended fieldtrips and other educational classes through our Education Department. 15,579 Title 1 school or special needs children received free or discounted educational programming through grant support. 5,979 Title 1 Pre-k or Kindergarten children received free educational classes at their schools and/or free fieldtrips to the Gardens through our On the Road program. 505 low income or special needs children and their family members received free entry and educational programming through 12 Community Access Days.

Wildlife Conservation:

Our Animal Care team cared for 1,605 rescued animals, representing over 90 species this year! This includes just over 300 permanently injured and/or non-releasable birds and animals that make Flamingo Gardens their permanent home now. 1,305 rescued birds and animals were brought to us for rehabilitation in 2023, and thus far over 350 of them have been released back to the wild.

Botanical Conservation:

341 plants were added to our collections in 2023, representing 198 species. This includes 147 orchids added and cared for by our Orchidteers volunteer group. Our Horticulture Department opened the new Butterfly Conservatory in March of 2023, and the Horticulture team, with assistance from Education staff and the Eco-teers volunteer group, raised and released 8,613 native butterflies into the Gardens.

Environmental Conservation:

487 volunteers donated over 26,000 hours of their time in 6,196 separate visits to help Flamingo Gardens provide environmental education to the public through their service, whether it be as a docent at the Wray Home Museum, greeting guests, helping at an event, or preparing meals for the animals. The Eco-teer volunteers helped to plant 1,030 trees to remove carbon from the air and 9,004 sea oats to protect our shores. They also removed 536 lbs. of trash from our beaches and waterways, and 443 lbs. of invasive plants from parks.

We couldn’t have done it without you! Flamingo Gardens appreciate all of you that donated time and money in support of our mission to preserve this beautiful property and educate the public about the South Florida environment. To see the full 2023 Annual Impact Report click below:

2023 Impact Report

EPIC Water Management

You may have noticed a lot of digging going on at Flamingo Gardens lately. That is because we have EPIC improvements underway! As part of our Master Plan adopted in 2020, and our Be EPIC (Everglades Preservation Involves Change) program, Flamingo Gardens is creating additional water retention areas to help control flooding while simultaneously beautifying the Gardens.

The Everglades and Florida are facing significant water management challenges due to growing populations and increasingly unpredictable rainfall patterns coupled with rising sea levels leading to saltwater intrusion. Record-breaking floods in recent years bear witness to growing climate change-induced disruptions in the water cycle. This makes both better water management and climate adaptation planning key aspects for the Flamingo Gardens Master Plan.

We must also help protect the Everglades by minimizing water runoff into the canal system. Flamingo Gardens already minimizes the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides to help reduce chemical runoff into the Everglades, but retaining water on the property helps reduce extreme fluctuation and stress on the waterways of the Everglades as well. Plus, the additional bodies of water are opportunities to beautify the Gardens while providing new environments for plants and wildlife.

The Master Plan calls for a series of Stormwater Gardens with native plants which will help retain runoff from the parking lots, Tram Trail, sidewalks, and other paved areas. These Stormwater Gardens are designed to be dry much of the year but will hold water during the rainy season and times of flooding to minimize overflow of the Flamingo Pond and Rookery and reduce runoff into the canal system. The native plants will filter the water as it slowly absorbs into the soil below.

A long, narrow lake will be created in the middle of the Tram Trail area that will help mitigate the annual flooding of the wetlands in the far eastern end of the property. The lake will be the centerpiece of a new Palmetum, an arboretum of palm tree species from around the world. The Palmetum surrounding the lake will be raised, like the cactus and cycad gardens with a sidewalk allowing continuous access from the bear and otter habitats to the Butterfly Conservatory and back. This lake will also provide natural habitat for Everglades birds and wildlife.

Currently we are trenching the Rookery to allow it to retain more water. This will be followed by beautification of the area with new native landscaping, new railings, fencing, and signage. Stormwater Gardens will be installed behind the Learning Center, Panther Habitat, and beside the Flamingo Pond to retain flood waters during rainy season.

Back by the Butterfly Conservatory, we have commenced digging Phase 1 of a new lake and Palmetum to help control flooding around the cactus and cycad gardens. The dirt being dug for the lake will be used to create the new raised beds for the Palmetum on both sides of the lake. The Cactus Garden sidewalk will be extended into the Africa section of the Palmetum which will highlight our collection of Baobab trees, and large African Oil Palms which will be transplanted onto the new raised beds. It will take several years (and hundreds of thousands of dollars) to complete the lake, Palmetum, and the entire water management plan, a necessity to mitigate flooding in the coming years. The project will help protect the amazing collection of plants from flooding and create new habitats for Everglades birds and wildlife at the same time!

Plastic Recycling: What Those Little Numbers Tell Us

I’m often asked how best to reduce one’s carbon footprint. My answer is to just start somewhere- pick a project you feel comfortable with and start there. Regardless of your effect on carbon emissions and climate change, anything you do to help the environment is good for the planet. My comfort spot is recycling, but navigating plastic recycling can be tricky!

My parents were always environmentally conscious (some might even call them hippies) so my childhood in the 1970s involved weekly chores of gardening, composting, and recycling. Many weekends I was sent to the basement to wash out cans and bottles, peel off the paper labels, and smash down the aluminum. When I left for college, I swore to my parents that I would move to the city and pave my entire yard; so, it’s ironic that I now work at a botanical garden promoting gardening, composting, and recycling, as my mother pointed out to me a bit too gleefully.

It was very natural for me to start recycling in my own home when curbside recycling became available, but recycling has changed since the ‘70s. These days curbside recycling is available in most urban and suburban neighborhoods, and we don’t have to peel off the labels from glass jars or smash the aluminum cans. But one of the biggest changes is the amount of plastic that we recycle -or rather the amount of plastic we don’t recycle.

To me, plastics are one of the most egregious threats to the planet. Plastics started to become mainstream in the 1970s. The plastic bag was first introduced to the grocery industry as an alternative to the paper bag in 1977. Some estimates put plastic production today at 9 times higher than in 1973. It is estimated that 380 MILLION TONS of plastic is produced every year now, and just 9% of it is recycled!

It is estimated that 8 million metric tons of plastic end up in our waterways annually. And unlike some other kinds of waste, plastics don’t decompose, which means they stick around indefinitely, disrupting marine ecosystems and creating havoc for marine life. Little microbeads of plastic can end up in our food supply and our drinking water.

But all plastic is recyclable, and we just need to be better about recycling, right? Wrong! Technically, most plastic is recyclable, but much of it is very difficult to recycle. Most recycling plants don’t have the equipment or capacity to recycle much of the plastic in production these days. The best solution is to minimize your use of single-use plastics and to recycle the plastic you do use responsibly.

I try to minimize my use of single-use plastics and recycle my plastics responsibly, but it’s hard to know what plastic is accepted by local municipality recycling programs. Recycling programs vary widely from city to city so it’s best to consult your local municipality to be certain.

Here’s a little cheat I depend on. You know those little triangles with numbers on the bottom? Those triangles are symbols created for recycling that indicate the type of plastic used in the product. The number is a resin identification code that specifies the type of resin used as well as the safety of that resin. It also indicates how that product might be recycled.

In general, number 1 and 2 plastics are widely accepted by most recycling centers. These plastics are made of Polyethylene and include almost any lightweight bottle whose neck is smaller than its body, such as water bottles, soda bottles, milk jugs, shampoo bottles, detergent bottles, and most bottles used for food, health, cleaning, or beauty products. These are easily recycled and there is demand for the product, so you can be fairly certain that your local recycle program (if you have one) accepts them. Usually, you can even recycle the screw-on caps. Caps are a #5 plastic which most municipalities accept now but check with your municipality first to be sure. Wash them out thoroughly before recycling, and screw on the cap so it doesn’t get mistakenly left on the ground.

Number 3 plastics are made with polyvinyl resin commonly called PVC. They are usually rigid and not as easily recycled. These include PVC pipes, plastic sheets like shower curtains and raincoats, and many children’s toys. More and more recycling programs accept #3 plastic, but there are still many that do not. Check with your municipality as #3 plastic may need to go into your trash. Avoid these if possible.

Number 4 plastics are of low-density polyethylene and are usually soft and flexible. These include grocery bags, dry cleaning bags, plastic food wrap, and squeezable bottles like ketchup or syrup bottles. The plastic bags and films are rarely recyclable, but the squeezable bottles may be.

Number 5 plastics are made of polypropylene and are a flexible hard plastic like “clamshell” food containers, screw-on caps, butter tubs, and food cups like yogurt containers. More municipalities have started to recycle number 4 and 5 plastics (except for plastic bags and film) but many still do not. Check with your local municipality. If you don’t know for certain, put them in with your trash- or better yet avoid them if you can.

Numbers 6 plastics are made with polystyrene (Styrofoam) and are difficult to recycle. These include disposable cups and plates and meat trays and should usually be placed in the trash. Number 7 plastics include a broad range of acrylic, nylon, and other plastic resins difficult to recycle such as CDs, DVDs, sunglasses, and cellphone cases which should also be placed in the trash. Again, check with your municipality. Some recycling centers have started to take plastics 6 and 7, but very few take Styrofoam in any form whether plates, cups, or packing noodles. Avoid Styrofoam if possible.

In general, it is safe to assume that plastics 1 & 2 are recyclable in your municipality if you have recycling, while 3, 4, & 5 are probably accepted in your municipality (except for plastic bags and films), but check first. Plastics 6 and 7 are rarely recycled but check you curbside collection to be sure.

Remember to check with your municipality to see what they will recycle. I can’t stress this enough! Even while fact-checking this blog, I found conflicting information between reputable sites and even on my own municipality’s website! Municipalities vary greatly. Some municipalities accept plastics 1-7 except for plastic bags, plastic films, and Styrofoam of any kind. Other municipalities do not recycle at all but choose to convert trash into energy through incineration programs instead. Most municipalities fall somewhere in between.

Better yet, eliminate plastic use wherever possible so you are certain to keep it out of our landfills and waterways. If you can’t, here is a cheat sheet for you to print and save for easy reference.

As a final reminder, never place any of the following into your recyclable bins:

No plastic film or plastic bags of any kind (return to retailer where possible)
No Styrofoam (find a drop-off site at earth911.com)
No paper napkins, plates, cups, or tissues (these are probably compostable in the landfill)
No foods or liquids (compost instead)
No electronics (donate instead, schedule bulk pick up, or find a drop-off site at earth911.com)
No textiles, including clothes, bedding, rugs (donate them instead)
No hose, strings of lights, rope, hangers, or any objects that can tangle equipment
No tires, auto parts, or scrap metal (find a drop-off site at earth911.com)
No concrete, wood, or construction debris (schedule a bulk pick-up)
No yard waste or wood (compost or place in your yard waste container)
No non-recyclable plastic items without a recycling symbol

Keith Clark is the CEO of Flamingo Gardens. As a Baby Boomer he is inspired by the younger associates at Flamingo Gardens to make small changes in his own life to combat climate change and help the planet. Each month he blogs about the changes he’s making to reduce his own carbon footprint in an effort to inspire others.

The Host Plants for 12+ Native Butterflies

Pollinators are one of the wildlife populations most impacted by climate change, pesticide use, and habitat loss. Bees, hummingbirds, bats, and butterflies are all facing unprecedented threats as they struggle to adapt and survive the changing rhythms of weather and the seasons and changes to their natural landscape. After opening the new Butterfly Conservatory at Flamingo Gardens earlier this year, we’ve been flooded with questions regarding which plants are best to attract butterflies. Before we answer that question, it is important to understand the difference between butterfly nectar source plants and butterfly host plants.

Nectar source plants attract adult butterflies by supplying nectar (sugar-rich liquid). These plants vary in size, fragrance, and shape of the flower. All nectar source plants have nectar that is sipped by the butterfly, but the plant is not eaten by them. Most butterflies are attracted to almost all nectar plants, but it is specific butterfly host plants that are truly important for their survival.

Host plants (or larval plants) are plants that the butterfly larvae will eat. Butterfly species lay their eggs on or near the specific host plants that their caterpillar larvae will eat. Each species has a very narrow range of host plants that supply the necessary chemicals required for proper nourishment and growth of the caterpillars. Without enough of these critical host plants, caterpillar larvae will starve and die, threatening the very existence of butterfly species populations.

Here are the necessary host plants needed to attract some of the more desired Broward County native butterflies to your garden:

Host Plants for Monarch and Queen Butterfly

(and Soldier Butterfly, not shown)

Giant Milkweed (Calotropis gigantea)

White Twinevine (Funastrum clausum)

Tropical Milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias perennis)

Host Plants for Zebra Longwing, Julia, and Gulf Fritillary Butterfly

Corkystem Passionflower (Passiflora suberosa)

Purple Passionflower (Passiflora incarnata)

Lady Margaret Passionflower (Passiflora Lady Margaret)

Host Plants for Orange-barred Sulphur

(and Cloudless Sulfur Butterfly, not shown)

Popcorn Cassia (Senna didymobotrya)

Bahama Cassia (Senna mexicana chapmanii)

Host Plant for Statira Sulphur Butterfly

Red Powderpuff (Calliandra haematocephala)

Host Plant for White Peacock

(and the Phaon Crescent and Common Buckeye Butterfly, not shown)

Frog Fruit, (Phyla nodiflora)

Host Plant for Atala Butterfly

Coontie (Zamia integrifolia)

Host Plant for Malachite Butterfly

Carolina wild petunia (Ruellia caroliniensis)

Host Plants for Giant Swallowtail Butterfly

Wild Lime (Zanthoxylum fagara) or any citrus or lime plant

Host Plants for Black Swallowtail Butterfly

Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) or dill or fennell

A cautionary warning- caterpillars will devour the host plants! You’ll want to provide several of each species of host plant you select so there is plenty of food for the caterpillars to eat. You don’t want the caterpillars to run out of food midway through their growth cycle. Most gardeners don’t like the look of caterpillar-ravaged host plants in their gardens, so plant the host plants interspersed among nectar plants to hide the half-eaten leaves.

Butterfly conservation organizations agree that we can help our native butterfly populations become more resilient by providing the proper host or larval plants in our landscape. With just a little effort and the proper host plants, you can attract these Broward County native butterflies to your yard and help them survive! If you wish to learn more about Florida butterflies and establishing a butterfly garden, the University of Florida has excellent information on Butterfly Gardening in Florida at: http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/UW/UW05700.pdf

Note: The plants listed in this article can be difficult to find. We recommend looking at nurseries that specialize in Florida native plants and/or butterfly plants. Flamingo Gardens is now propagating these plants in our nursery, but the caterpillars are eating them quicker than we can propagate, so at present we do not have extra host plants to sell. We hope to in the future. Meanwhile we hope this information has been helpful.

Volunteer Spotlight: James Harmon

Our Volunteer of the Month for February is James Harmon.

James has already volunteered for over 100 hours this year. February in particular James was a key contributor in our Food and Wine Benefit. He has been helping our Special Events department set up and breakdown our various events. Many mornings James can also be seen assisting our Animal Care Department with the animals and the enclosures. When called upon for any extra task he has been willing and effective, and we are very thankful for that. James has a passion for genuine help and we appreciate him so much.

Author: Keith Clark