Gardening for Nature is a five-part series sponsored by Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum that focuses on creating an ecologically friendly garden.  The October program, Beyond Monarchs & Honeybees: The Case for Diversity, will be a Zoom presentation on Thursday, October 19 at 7 pm by Dr. Randi Eckel, founder of Toadshade Wildflower Farm in Frenchtown, New Jersey.

“Butterflies and honeybees have been getting a lot of press – and a lot of folks have stepped up to help them, which is good,” said Dr. Eckel.  “But with more than 10,000 species of native butterflies, moths and bees in the US, as well many other creatures that depend upon native plants, it is critical that we look beyond just two species.  This presentation will examine communities, specialists and the critical role of diversity in our midst.”

Beyond Monarchs & Honeybees: The Case for Diversity is $10 for members of Friends of Laurelwood Arboretum and $20 for nonmembers. To register, go to www.laurelwoodarboretum.org.  A zoom link will be sent to all registered participants. The program is eligible for 1 hour of Passaic County Master Gardener Continuing Education credit.

Dr. Eckel has been working with native plants for over 35 years.  She founded Toadshade Wildflower Farm in 1996 to further public awareness and availability of native plants.  She is a life-long naturalist, lover of nature, entomologist, and confirmed plant and ecology devotee.  She is known for her lively lectures and workshops on growing and propagating native plants and offers interesting, nuanced information on the complex issues facing native plants and native plant communities.