Never a Better Time to Go Native!

Native Landscapes & Garden Center staff were thrilled to welcome members and friends back to Bailey Homestead Preserve in late January. Since Hurricane Ian, staff have received many inquiries for advice on replanting, appropriate species to use, and how to bring wildlife back to yards.

In response, the Post-Hurricane Ian Replanting Guide was created to answer commonly asked questions and highlight plant species that fared well through the storm and its associated surge. Upon reopening, an assortment of more than 50 of those species were available for purchase, with staff available to assist residents in choosing plants most appropriate for their yards.

“It has been tremendous to reconnect with members, residents, and friends during our reopening,” Native Landscapes & Garden Center Manager Becca Grotrian said. “Planting in support of wildlife and revegetating our island is rewarding, and helping people navigate the process is a pleasure.”

Garden Center staff also resumed offering customized yard consultations through the popular “Landscaping for Wildlife” house call program. Demand has been high this spring as residents plan for replanting during the summer rainy season.

Within the Bailey Homestead’s once-lush demonstration gardens, staff have been actively planning for replanting as well. Countless volunteers, including a group of over 20 staff members from the Naples Botanical Garden, have assisted in the cleanup and removal of debris and downed vegetation.

SCCF’s “Tree-Build” campaign, launched in December, continues to raise funds for replanting the grounds this summer. To support these efforts, you can sponsor a plant for us to grow or purchase a gift card to the garden center at tinyurl.com/TreebuildSCCF.

“In contrast to the destruction we have faced, seeing the resilience of our native plant species has been both surprising and delightful,” Grotrian said. “Every day, I notice new leaves sprouting or persisting despite the odds, and that’s why our conservation efforts are so important.”

McCARTHY MEMORIAL LECTURE SERIES FEATURES

JEFF

CORWIN

The fifth annual Paul McCarthy Memorial Lecture featured the host of Wildlife Nation and renowned conservationist Jeff Corwin and delighted over 200 guests in February. Corwin’s entertaining tales from the field featured stories of snakes, elephants, and other wildlife encounters, and he previewed his upcoming production focused on conservation in Florida.