In April, thanks to the volunteer efforts of Martha Kendall, ably assisted by Mark Chargois and Michael Wylde, some two dozen native plants favored by Florida butterflies were planted near the RRC classroom and gift shop.

Marty, as she is known, is a certified Florida Master Gardener and long-time friend of the RRC. For the record, the garden is already a success, because several butterflies have been seen making themselves at home on the new plants. Mulch and native rocks have been placed along the path leading from the parking lot to the classroom, and small interpretive signs will soon be installed near each plant to identify them.

Marty Kendall installs native plants in the RRC’s new butterfly garden. Photo by B. Marquardt

A portion of the new butterfly garden, looking from the classroom toward the parking lot. Photo by B. Marquardt

This article was taken from the Friends of the Randell Research Center Newsletter Vol 8, No. 2. June 2009.