Spring has officially sprung. The first day of spring was March 20 and the Founder of the Butterfly Conservatory of Tampa Bay Anita Camacho is excited. In her world, every day can be Spring like. She’s all about putting Florida back in Florida and believes anyone can make their yards more beautiful and more inviting if they just add a few things to start.
Prepping your garden for spring and butterflies
Camacho says it’s good to start small — perhaps just with milkweed and a nectar plant. This can be done in an easy to manage way by starting with a flowerpot on a patio or deck or in a larger, more dedicated area in your yard. She says you can start small and then grow it and watch the wonder of all the winged creatures that stop by.
She says the butterflies are not only beautiful; they are a critical component and important bellwether of our environment. The tiny winged creatures are critical in preserving the world’s biodiversity, but many butterfly species are under serious threat.
Related: How To Fill Your Yard With Native Florida Plants
118 butterfly species breed and reside in the Tampa Bay area and there are approximately 200 species that are visitors to the state. Many butterflies found in Florida aren’t found anywhere else in North America. With Camacho’s expertise, she encourages outreach and education to stress the importance of conservation to embrace and protect the pollinator habits.
Little Red Wagon Native Nursery
Camacho is also the owner of the Little Red Wagon Native Nursery in South Tampa. She loves teaching and leading groups to embrace their inner nature lover self.
Do you want to immerse yourself in nature? You can!
There are many volunteer opportunities offered by the Little Red Wagon Native Nursery.
Here are some ways you can volunteer at the Little Red Wagon Native Nursery and learn more about the importance of native plants in Florida: