In the spring of 2024, Apalachee Audubon awarded two grants of $500 each to the Babies Breath Circle of the Tallahassee Garden Club and the FSU Spoonbill Audubon Chapter. Read about the new library garden. A report from the Spoonbill Society about their bird window strike project will be added this spring.

Bruce J. Host Northeast Branch Library Project: Native Plant and Wildflower Demonstration Garden

Tallahassee Garden Club, Babies Breath Circle, has been striving to assist in local habitat improvement and environmental education via its native plant and wildflower demonstration garden at the Bruce J. Host Library, 5513 Thomasville Road, Tallahassee, since April, 2023. By February 2004, the new garden and plant identifier signs had been well received by the public. As a result, the circle began to look forward to improving and expanding its project. By chance, circle members became aware of the Bruce Fusaco Conservation Grant and applied for assistance with its garden.

The application itself helped identify current needs for the expansion and narrowed the 2024 focus to additional native plantings and freshwater basins to encourage native birds, butterflies and other pollinators to use the area. The grant award gave the circle funds needed for these improvements, plus advice and counsel from Donna Legare.

Donna’s knowledge and work with the circle helped with the selection and location of the new plants. Numerous consultations with her reduced the number of trial and error experiences usually suffered by novices attempting to create wildlife habitats. Her suggestions on birdbaths, stepping stones and hardscape maintenance greatly contributed to a successful year. Donna’s skill in anticipating how plants will grow, spread, reseed, and fill the area will continue to be appreciated in the years to come.

The garden improvements have caused an increase in native bees at the site. No matter what time of day circle members attend to watering chores, bees are seen on flowering plants and bushes. The number of butterflies of various species in the garden has increased fivefold. The sight of them makes watering less of a chore.Two freshwater basins, surrounded by cardinal flowers, encourage hummingbirds and song birds to the sight. There is movement, sound, and visual delight throughout the year. The landscape frequently changes and expands. Placards with common and Latin plant names, QR codes, together with our website page on the Florida Wildflower Foundation site, encourage library patrons to add the plants they enjoy to their own yards. Many visitors have confessed to using some of the native plant choices in their own backyards, thanks to our demonstration garden.

In summary, the exciting expansion of the circle’s original work could not have happened without the Ben Fusaco Grant and we are forever grateful for the award. We have received an exceptional, hands-on education about native plants, regional ecology, and conservation. As undeveloped land close to the library is developed, the demonstration garden will gain greater importance in local education about the unique ecology and biodiversity of North Florida and the need for native plantings in our home landscapes.