Hi Everyone! I am Dr. Becki Lynch, a new member of the Bloom and Grow Garden Society, and I wanted to introduce myself to you. I am originally from Iowa where I became a Master Gardener and developed a passion for the conservation and support of pollinators. While there, I was on the start-up team for the Monarch Research Project and co-chaired our “Planting for Pollinators Project.” Through partnerships with the city of Cedar Rapids, Linn County, Iowa State University, Master Gardeners, and the Monarch Research Project, 10,000 acres of pollinator habitat have been added to Linn County in 5 years. The Project won the state and national Master Gardeners’ “Search for Excellence” Award in 2019. (https://monarchresearch.org/ )
My husband and I moved to Winter Garden permanently in January of 2020, although we have wintered here since 2013, when our granddaughter was born. Covid, of course, slowed me down, but I have been having fun developing the West Orange Trail Butterfly/Pollinator Habitat Garden. If you are on the trail between Winter Garden and Oakland, you will pass it. Hope you can take a minute to stop and enjoy.
Where am I going with this? I have found that the folks in Winter Garden are VERY interested in helping Monarchs and pollinators, and Bloom & Grow’s sales of the Monarch Waystations are going very well. I know that many of you are already familiar with pollinators and what they need and like. But, for those of you that want to help, but aren’t sure just what to do, I’d be happy to help.
I’ve designed habitats and created “Polliscaping” so that back and front yards can be beautiful while supporting pollinators. I can give you some tips learned through experience and scientific fact. This is strictly volunteer, so don’t expect a bill! Just PM me through the Spring Fever in the Garden facebook page and I’ll get back to you.
I will be contributing to the general knowledge of Monarchs and pollinators through short articles posted to this page and, eventually, the website. I’m going to start with the story of the Monarch, and why it is representative of strength, determination, and the capacity to change and grow.
And, if you have a related simple question (not easily found by googling), I will answer through a post. So, stay tuned. I am retired and busy, so can’t promise a strict schedule but, check back in a few weeks. I’m looking forward to being an active member of Bloom & Grow and Grown and the Winter Garden community, and especially to meet you!
Becki Lynch
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