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Friday, December 30, 2022
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Clam Pass Trail Blazers 2023
Clam Pass 465 Seagate Drive, Naples, FL
The Clam Pass Trail Blazers are a team of naturalist and environmentally conscious citizens. They work hard to keep Clam Pass Beautiful, keep the trails maintained, remove exotic plants, place signage for the community to identify plants, trees and shrubs of Clam Pass. They support the natural habitats of Clam Pass Beach, the ecosystems of the natural areas, and the wildlife that calls Clam Pass home.
Since Hurricane Ian, the Clam Pass Trail Blazers have done some major heavy lifting, removing horticultural debris from the parking lot, mangroves, trails and nature areas around and under the board walk. They have cleared out a significant amount of storm debris from the mangroves and are currently working to clear the nature trails for visitors to explore and enjoy, post hurricane.
This team meets every Wednesday morning for about 2 hours. If you are looking to make a major environmental impact, grow your social circle with like minded people, and enjoy working in nature, and want to make an important and measurable difference, you can join this amazing team.
The Clam Pass Trail Team is looking to add new members.
If you are interested call 239-252-4033 for more information.
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Thursday, December 15, 2022
Gardens take care of plants, pollinators and people...
I find time and time again that gardens and gardeners are great (and love) at bringing nature and people together.
My latest example is a partnership between the West Coast & East Coast: Collier County Garden Program & Coconut Creek Community Garden.
I first found out about Coconut Creek from one of our volunteers. When I connected with their program I knew right away we could help each other, and they invited me to give a presentation, about our Gardens, to their gardeners (a rotating group of young people completing school service hours).
Just a few days after Hurricane Ian, the group reached out to see how we and our gardens were doing and asked how they could help.
On Saturday 12/10/22, Lisa & I drove over to the Coconut Creek Community Garden to pick up plants from their garden. We had a chance to meet with the young people in the garden as they worked on weeding, watering, and adding fresh soil.
Lisa & I quickly joined in the search for butterflies & caterpillars.
We gave a short presentation about the effects of the hurricane on our gardens and left them a Snow Squarestem plant and some seeds. Link to Coconut Creek Community Garden
We picked up 15 plants for use at Sugden & Conner Butterfly Gardens. Thank you to Dan Godston (Program Lead) and ALL the youth that have participated in the program. It is inspiring to see your group in action and building something for your community and helping our community too!!
Above & Beyond Service to your community
Conner Park, 492 Bluebill Drive, Naples, FL. 34108
Photo Taken 08.31.2022
Photos taken after Hurricane Ian
Conner Park is a passive park in Collier County, spanning 5 acres of walking trails and Beach Parking. In Late 2021 a group of dedicated volunteers working hand in hand with our maintenance staff installed a butterfly garden. This garden team is primarily made up of residents from the neighboring community of The Dunes.
After Hurricane Ian in September of 2022, the storm surge came up through Turkey Bay and inland for several blocks completely covering this once beautiful park. The park suffered from the saltwater and the loads of debris that washed in with the surge leaving household items and horticultural debris throughout the park, parking lots and roads.
Our dedicated volunteers wasted no time responding to the garden to assess. Within two weeks after Hurricane Ian the team was on site, cleaning up the debris out of the garden and making a plan for future plantings to restore the garden to it's former glory and provide for it's many pollinators. Two hours of hard labor intensive work and hauling debris to a pile for pickup was a major accomplishment.
That is not where this story ends. One volunteer remained on site for another three hours, working alone filling more than 5 large bags of debris, from the grounds surrounding the garden. Dante, a dedicated garden volunteer and resident of the neighboring condominium association managed this massive task by himself. Dante, is another real life superhero residing in our town taking care of our environment, our pollinators, doing what needed to be done before anyone else could get to it. Thank you Dante for your passion for this park, our community, your neighborhood and the hundred people who visit that park each day. (Even when a hurricane just went through.)
https://www.collierparks.com/collier_park/conner-park-beach/
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
North Collier Regional Park Butterfly Garden
The beauty of people and nature is that we are resilient. In a world that gets rocked the way IAN rolled in, it can be soothing to watch nature return.
When we take care of Nature, we are building a future for everything, people, plants and pollinators, a place for quiet reflection, serenity and beauty.
While I was tending to my own garden after the Hurricane, I was saddened that I lost one of the favorite host plants for Sulphur butterflies, and at the same time over joyed that the Monarchs were back and laying eggs on the milkweed. Now I’m not sure I’ll have enough milkweed but that’s always a good problem to solve.
While the Collier County Gardens are healing themselves with a little help from our gardeners and friends, please know that we are thinking about you and hope you’ll visit soon.
Bring on the Butterflies - Florida Wildflower Foundation Webinar
Bring on the butterflies! - Florida Wildflower Foundation
Butterflies are an important indicator of the health of our environment. Equally as important are the native plants on which they and other wildlife depend for survival. Learn how you can make a difference for butterflies, big or small, by simply providing native plants in your own landscape, balcony or patio garden. Learn how chemical-free gardening simplified by planting native plants the right way can make your thumb green!
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Join a Butterfly Count - North Collier Regional Park
Saturday - November 19th
9:30am - 12:30pm
North Collier Regional Park
Meet in the Garden
Nearly 30 species of butterflies have been observed during previous counts. Both number of individuals and different species will be recorded.
Volunteers ages 16 and up are invited to participate. Individuals with previous experience participating in one of these butterfly counts will serve as group leads.
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Sugden Regional Park August 31, 2022
Sugden Regional Park
I just had to share, what for me is, an exciting milestone. At
Sugden Butterfly Garden we planted a Wild Lime Tree over a year ago in the
hopes of attracting Giant Swallowtails. Almost every time any of us are at the
garden we check this tree looking for activity…2 weeks ago we were rewarded
with caterpillars and eggs. Yesterday after much searching I found chrysalis. I
doubt we can time seeing the butterfly emerge - so the butterfly picture is a
stock photo.
And here is a cool video of a butterfly playground…because
of all the rain this low spot has not been mowed and it is now a beautiful spot
to enjoy butterflies. There had to be at least 20+ flyers.
Content Shared by Connie Nagele,
Lead for Collier County Parks and Recreation's Volunteer Garden Program.
Tuesday, August 9, 2022
Saturday, July 30, 2022
April 2022 Earth Day in the Gardens
Collier County
Parks & Recreation
Volunteer
Newsletter – April 2022
Celebrate
Earth Day in the Gardens on Saturday, April 23rd
By: Andee
Naccarato, CCPR Volunteer & Interim President of Naples Native Plants
Collier County’s Garden Volunteers may celebrate
the Earth every day, but we’re extra excited to invite you to our pollinator
gardens for fun and educational activities on Saturday, April 23rd!
Drop by Conner Park, North Collier Regional Park, or Sugden Regional Park
between 9:00am and 12:00pm to take part in this free event honoring plants,
pollinators, and the planet that sustains us.
Our planet Earth is there for us every day of our lives.
Be sure to celebrate the Earth this month and participate in events that
benefit our environment. Learning about the relationships between native plants
and pollinators is a perfect way to get in tune with the life-sustaining
services of nature. We encourage you to bring your friends and family to one of
your favorite parks on the morning of Saturday, April 23rd to
connect with plants, pollinators, and each other!
Wednesday, July 27, 2022
August 2022 Results of Summer Butterfly Counts
Collier
County Parks & Recreation
Volunteer
Newsletter – August 2022
Results of 2022 Summer Butterfly Counts
By Andee
Naccarato, CCPR Volunteer & Interim President of Naples Native Plants
How many butterflies were counted this year? Read on for the results from each Park!
Conner Park is located in northwest Naples in the Vanderbilt Beach area, about half a mile from the Gulf of Mexico. As with the other two Parks, volunteers counted numbers of individual butterflies of different species while walking a circular route through the Park’s butterfly garden and natural areas. At Conner Park, 157 individual butterflies of 7 species were identified. The top three species seen were Statira Sulphur, Barred Yellow, and Zebra Heliconian (Florida’s state butterfly). Two new species for Conner Park (Giant Swallowtail and White Checkered-Skipper) were recorded this year, bringing the overall park total to 15 species. Certain species of butterflies that rely on native plants in mangrove habitats, such as the Statira Sulphur, Mangrove Buckeye, and Mangrove Skipper, are most likely to be seen at Conner Park and less likely to be seen as distance from the coast increases.
North Collier Regional Park is Located about four miles inland from Conner Park, North Collier Regional Park is a large multi-use park with preserved habitats of pine flatwoods and cypress wetlands. This year, 73 butterflies of 14 species were counted. The top five species observed (with a three-way tie for 3rd place) were White Peacock, White Checkered-Skipper, Cloudless Sulphur, Cassius Blue, and Barred Yellow. Two new species, the Soldier (a relative of the Monarch and Queen) and Tropical Checkered-Skipper, were recorded this year. The Park’s overall total is now 23 species. When considering numbers of individual butterflies seen in the butterfly gardens specifically, North Collier Regional Park came out on top for this count (18 individuals of 7 species).
Sugden Regional Park is the southernmost of the three parks, located about 1.5 miles from Naples Bay on Lake Avalon. For this summer’s count, 127 individuals of 15 species were counted. The top three species were White Peacock, Dainty Sulphur, and Zebra Heliconian. Three new species for Sugden Regional Park were recorded (Eastern Black Swallowtail, Giant Swallowtail, and Mallow Scrub-Hairstreak), bringing this park’s overall total to 24 species. Although the majority of this park is the open water of Lake Avalon, a mix of native plants along habitat edges and in the butterfly garden support an impressive diversity of butterfly species.
Conclusion
A variety of environmental factors influence butterfly
abundance and diversity, so it’s difficult to determine why butterfly numbers may
change from year to year, from season to season, or from location to location
on a single day. We do know that butterflies rely on the presence of native
plants in natural areas, gardens, and landscaping so they can create more
butterflies for the future. It is important to continue conducting butterfly
counts in the long-term to paint a clearer picture of butterfly population
trends in Collier County.
Are you interested in participating in the next butterfly
count or tending one of the butterfly gardens? Contact Connie Nagele (Lead
Garden Volunteer) at Cnageleart@gmail.com for more information.
Special thanks to all the volunteers (and CCPR Volunteer
Coordinator Debi Siciliano) who dedicated their time to counting butterflies on
a hot June day: Dena & Scott Berglund, Linda Blaise, Dante Cirilli, Christy
Duff, Sara Dust, Cherie Glenn, Rhonda Gloodt, Juliet Gross, Susan LaGrotta,
Abbie & Susan LeFebvre, Michele Lenhard, Maureen McFarland, Andee
Naccarato, Connie Nagele, Debbie Polen, Jane Poole, Hannah Scech, and Jane
Smith.
Check out our photo gallery from the Summer Butterfly Count in June 2022 and beyond. A special thank you to our master photographers, Scott B., Christy D., Maureen M. and everyone to contributed photos from the counts for late identification.
July 2022 Gardening with "Weedy" Native Plants
Collier County Parks & Recreation
Volunteer Newsletter July 2022
Gardening with “Weedy” Native Plants
By Andee Naccarato, Interim President of Naples Native
Plants
Bidens Alba
Devoted gardeners become
intimately familiar with the plants under their care. They walk through their
gardens almost daily, observing how the plants grow and change. They watch the
plants as they unfurl new leaves, develop flower buds, and bloom in beautiful
colors. These repeated meanderings through gardens help gardeners often
instantly recognize when a new (and possibly unknown) seedling appears.
Unknown plants popping up
in gardens are usually classified as “weeds” and quickly pulled out. However,
some of these unknown plants introducing themselves to garden spaces happen to
be native to Florida. These native plant species have existed in Florida since
before European colonization and provide important resources to our native
wildlife.
Why would a native plant
be confused with a weed? Florida is a land of dramatic natural disturbances
(like hurricanes and lightning-induced fires). Some native plants act as
“pioneers” by being the first to germinate and inhabit disturbed areas. Even
relatively small disturbances, like turning over the soil in our gardens or
digging out an old shrub, invite those native pioneer species to appear.
 |
| Bidens Alba Seeds |
Is there any reason to
keep Spanish needles on your property? Yes! This native wildflower is one of
the most popular nectar plants for pollinators, including butterflies and bees.
For butterflies, at least 27 species have been observed drinking nectar from
Spanish needles in southwest Florida.
Furthermore, Spanish
needles is the host plant for a small yellow butterfly known as the dainty
sulphur. While the dainty sulphur could visit a variety of flowers to sip
nectar, females specifically seek out Spanish needles when they are ready to
lay eggs. Once the eggs hatch, the caterpillars eat the leaves of Spanish
needles before transforming into butterflies.
Is it possible to provide
Spanish needles for pollinators and keep a tidy garden? Yes, it is possible
with frequent attention to the Spanish needles. Designate a certain spot in
your garden (or a less visible corner of your backyard) where Spanish needles
can persist. As a fast-grower, this wildflower responds well to pruning (or
even mowing). Remove spent flower heads before the needle-like seeds appear to
prevent Spanish needles from spreading. This wildflower blooms year-round, so
be sure to observe your Spanish needles at least weekly for the appearance of
seeds.
Although Spanish needles
(and other “weedy” natives) may not meet every gardener’s expectations for a
lovely garden specimen, more and more gardeners are embracing their roles as
environmental stewards. Gardeners who include native plants, even the pioneer
species, in their gardens are providing food and resources to pollinators and
other native wildlife. Thankfully, with the right approach, the actions of
every gardener can help restore the natural environment in our communities.
March 2022 - Gardening for Insects & Ourselves
Volunteer
Newsletter – March 2022
Thinking
Ahead: Gardening for Insects and Ourselves
By: Andee
Naccarato, CCPR Volunteer & Interim President of Naples Native Plants
The abundance or diversity of native insects, like a
variety of butterflies, can be an indicator of environmental health. In other
words, environments supporting lots of insects tend to be in better shape than
environments where few insects are seen. Think about your own front yard or
community garden: how often do you see butterflies or other insects there? When
we add butterfly gardens or other native landscaping to our yards or parks, we
can help improve the natural quality of the surrounding environment, for
insects and ourselves.
Would you like to create or modify your own garden to
attract more beneficial insects, like pollinators? Three excellent examples of
butterfly gardens can be viewed at Conner Park, North Collier Regional Park,
and Sugden Regional Park. In these volunteer-maintained gardens, the variety of
butterfly plants are well-labeled so you can learn more about those plants that
catch your eye. For an extra special garden event, save the date for Earth Day
2022!
Save the date: Join us for Earth Day in the Garden on Saturday, April
23rd at Conner Park, North Collier Regional Park, and Sugden Regional Park.
Bring the family to the butterfly gardens to learn about pollinators and the
plants that sustain them. A representative from Naples Native Plants, our local
chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society, will be there to chat with you
about the relationships between native plants and pollinators.
Fall Butterfly Counts 2021
Collier County Parks & Recreation
Volunteer Newsletter – January 2022
Results
of Fall Butterfly Counts in Three Collier County Parks
By: Andee
Naccarato, CCPR Volunteer & Interim President of Naples Native Plants
For approximately three hours, participants counted
butterflies present in the Parks’ butterfly gardens and walked predetermined
routes through additional Park areas, including forested areas, pond edges, and
open lawn spaces. Volunteers recorded if certain types of butterflies were
observed in the butterfly gardens or in other natural park areas.
Interestingly, every Park added at least one new
butterfly species that was not observed during the summer count last June. At
Conner Park, which is bordered by coastal estuary habitat including mangroves,
participants observed both the Mangrove Buckeye and the Mangrove Skipper.
Butterfly counters at Sugden Regional Park noticed Common Buckeyes between the
nature trail and Lake Avalon. Dorantes Longtail Skippers were recorded for the
first time at both Sugden and North Collier Regional Parks.
Although overall butterfly abundance and species
diversity was lower compared to the summer counts, this trend was expected
based on seasonal changes in weather. In general, fewer butterflies are
observed during the cooler, dry season. As “cold-blooded” insects, butterflies
require warm ambient temperatures to maintain active flight. This means few
butterflies are seen on cool days. Additionally, a lack of rainfall tends to
reduce new growth on butterfly host plants. With fewer egg-laying sites, food
for caterpillars, and flowers in bloom, the butterfly’s life cycle may slow
down or pause in earlier life stages (egg, caterpillar, or chrysalis) and
reduce chances of seeing adult butterflies.
These butterfly counts were made possible by dedicated
Garden Program Volunteers along with additional participants representing Calusa
Garden Club, Collier County Master Gardeners, Collier County Parks &
Recreation, Cypress Cove Landkeepers, and the Naples Chapter of the Florida
Native Plant Society.
Thank you to Debi Siciliano (Volunteer Coordinator) and the following individuals for your optimistic efforts in completing these counts, despite less than perfect weather conditions: Dena & Scott Berglund, Dante Cirilli, Christy Duff, Lisa Forman, Cherie Glen, Melissa Hennig, Daphne Jameson, Susan LaGrotta, Leslie Landert, Twyla Leigh, Bonnie Lervik, Maureen McFarland, Tara McGraw, Andee Naccarato, Connie Nagele, Debbie Polen, Jane Smith, and Sally & Kirby Stein.
Data gathered from this citizen science project is being
shared with butterfly conservation organizations, such as eButterfly and the
North American Butterfly Association. Comparisons of butterfly abundance and
diversity in fall, spring, and summer will be a unique addition to knowledge of
butterfly natural history in southwest Florida. More butterfly counts are being
planned for Spring 2022. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Connie
Nagele (Lead Volunteer) at CNageleart@gmail.com.
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Lessons from the November Butterfly Count
by Grayce Garthoeffner (Naples High School Student) Living in Florida, nature is easy to observe from the comfort of our own home on a year...
