March 2022 - Gardening for Insects & Ourselves

 

Collier County Parks & Recreation

Volunteer Newsletter – March 2022

Thinking Ahead: Gardening for Insects and Ourselves

By: Andee Naccarato, CCPR Volunteer & Interim President of Naples Native Plants

 

             White Peacocks, Dainty Sulphurs, and Zebra Longwings – these are just three of the 30+ kinds of butterflies that have been recorded in Collier County’s Parks during recent butterfly counts. Why is this information good to know? Seeing butterflies (and other native insects) in a multi-use outdoor space means that people are taking good care of the land so all beings can thrive.

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.