Pollinator plant sale April 17-19 includes early opening Sunday
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Visitors can experience the awe of nature during the Florida Museum of Natural History’s Earth Day celebration April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event also features a large pollinator-friendly plant sale April 17-19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. including extended hours on Sunday.
The event offers an opportunity to observe diverse specimens from the museum’s vast collections and includes outdoor activities in the adjacent University of Florida Natural Area Teaching Laboratory.
New this year, UF’s George A. Smathers Map and Imagery Library will provide visitors with GPS devices to help locate available geocaches around the Cultural Plaza.
“The museum is like an iceberg, and the exhibits section is just the tip,” said Florida Museum public programs coordinator Catherine Carey. “Our Earth Day event gives us a chance to display the museum’s treasures and show the connections between natural history collections and world issues we all face.”
During one of the museum’s largest plant sales of the year, visitors may choose from among more than 150 species including Florida natives as well as edible plants from Natural Treasures Farm & Nursery. Experts will be available to answer questions and offer advice about how to attract pollinators and which plants are proven winners. The museum will open early at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 19, for the last day of the sale. Proceeds from plant sales benefit the museum’s “Butterfly Rainforest” exhibit and events like the Earth Day celebration and ButterflyFest.
“We have always taken pride in being a one-stop shop for serious gardeners,” said Jeffrey Hansen, coordinator of museum operations and visitor services. “We try to offer the best plants with the largest selection for attracting pollinators in the area.”
Face painting designs from Easyjourney Entertainment and food from High Springs Orchard and Bakery and The Hyppo Gourmet Ice Pops will be available for purchase. For more information, visit http://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/earthday/home/ or call 352-846-2000.
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Writer: Maria Espinoza, emari@ufl.edu
Source: Catherine Carey, ccarey@flmnh.ufl.edu
Media Contact: Paul Ramey, 352-273-2054, pramey@flmnh.ufl.edu