Birds and butterflies attend garden dedication

The Seaside Wildlife Garden received an official welcome to St Augustine Beach yesterday when master gardeners from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences dedicated the volunteer community project, located at the Beach Cultural Center.

St Johns County University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Master Gardeners designed and installed the garden; which focuses on attracting butterflies, hummingbirds, and other local birds.

“What a day to be a Master Gardener. It was so exciting to work on a project where so many smart and talented Master Gardeners stepped up to make a difference in their community,” said St Johns Cultural Council Board member, CJ McCartney, who spearheaded the project. “Everyone brought their best to make this community service project a success.”

Mayor Andrea Samuels, representing the City of St Augustine Beach who owns the post-depression era landmark building, commented on how the Master Gardeners made a difference by creating this wildlife garden at the Pier. Samuels cited “collaboration and communication between groups” as the creative forces behind positive community projects like this one.

Over 30 volunteers offered to help in a variety of ways – from building trellis out of recycled shipping pallets, to hauling materials and mulch, to digging plants out of their own yards. Some weeded and cleared the beds while others prepped and mulched the soil.

Certificates of appreciation recognized the work of the following Master Gardeners who helped create the garden:

CJ McCartney, Ginna Allmond, Lynda Eidson, Giselle Thompson, Pam Mirelson, Robert Mirelson, Nana Royer, Nancy Henley, Shirley Barber, Sharon McIlhenney, Rosemary Holmquist, Rosemary Baldwin, Michelle Wiles, Kathy Luoma, Betsy McCoy, Sylvia Brunet, Karen Matulina, CJ Jacobs, Gayle Prevatt, Gloria Hopkins, and to the St Johns County leader of the Master Gardeners, Keith Fuller.

Cultural Council employees Kathe O’Donnelly and Melinda Bergbom were also recognized.

St Johns County Commission chair, Rachel Bennett, who represents District 5 and who is also a St Augustine Beach resident, congratulated the Master Gardeners. She acknowledged how vital volunteers are in our community and offered the Seaside Wildlife Garden as an example of what volunteers can accomplish.

Most of the donated plants were Florida natives and are specific plants that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Maypop passion vine and coral honeysuckle will cover the trellises. By planting in the late fall, McCartney said the plants will use “the dormant period” to get settled and acclimated to their new environment.

“This county has a large resource of professional Master Gardeners who know how to turn an idea into a reality. And here’s the proof,” Dr. David Rice, president of the Board of Directors of the St Johns Cultural Council said during his remarks. “This was a volunteer effort where diverse talents came together to make the garden a reality.”

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the group made a toast with mulled apple cider to the spirit of cooperation, collaboration and camaraderie.

Photo credits: © 2014 Historic City News contributed photographs by CJ McCartney