Park Ranger Mike Simmons wants visitors to walk away from Lovers Key State Park with a newfound appreciation for butterflies and their environmental needs.
He put together a program on Florida’s butterflies with a focus on butterfly gardening and native plants that attract them.
But there are a few things visitors need to know before digging up the soil and planting plants they believe will attract butterflies, he says.
“Butterflies are a little pickier than that. A lot of people can have a butterfly garden in their home but they have to learn about it before they do,” said Simmons, who has worked with the park for almost two months.
He encourages people to have a butterfly garden because some find it very relaxing to watch butterflies fly around and feed on plant nectar.
“It’s relaxing for people who have stress and it can even bring up the property value of your home if you have a good garden,” Simmons said adding that butterflies are a great conversation piece during parties too.
During his program, Simmons teaches visitors about the life cycle of a butterfly, how to identify native butterflies and what attracts them to certain plants.
“Butterflies don’t always lay their eggs on the same plants they eat,” said Simmons who used to work at the Indianapolis zoo as a butterfly handler. “There are certain things to consider and my program lets people ask questions and get a new perspective on butterflies.”
Visitors also learn how to keep butterflies flocking to their homes by choosing plants that are native to Southwest Florida.
The program takes place at the parks butterfly garden.
“It’s awesome that we have a butterfly garden and now we have something to do with it,” said Brie Jamison, the park services specialist.
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