Fifty children, ages 6-10, will get the opportunity to learn about the environment.

PHOTO COURTESY OF BROWARD COUNTY OFFICE OF PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

Staff Report

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Many youth in urban communities don’t get the opportunity to participate in environmental programs, but some organizations have come together in Broward County to change that.

Broward Parks’ Summer Recreation program now includes a NatureScape Broward Butterfly and Herb Garden Summer Program for the 50 children, ages 610, who attend Boulevard Gardens Community Center located at 313 NW 28 Terrace in Ft. Lauderdale in the Broward Municipal Services District (BMSD).

Broward County’s NatureScape staff along with Habitat Steward volunteers from the National Wildlife Federation and University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Master Gardeners will educate youth on a variety of environmental topics.

Children will experience planting a butterfly garden in grow bags and learn about the lifecycle of different species of butterflies, principles of environmental stewardship, caring for plants, holistic benefits of natural herbs and more.

Upon completion, the youth will participate in a graduation ceremony.

The educational program is a collaborative effort between Broward County’s Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department and Broward Parks and Recreation Division in support of the BMSD Health Community Zone. The County and its partners, Boulevard Gardens Community Group, Inc., Broward Regional Health Planning Council and TOUCH Broward made the special program possible.

The Health Foundation of South Florida is also instrumental in providing opportunities for youth in the BMSD Healthy Community Zone to learn about the benefits of gardening and protecting natural habitats.

Recently, members of Boulevard Gardens Home Owners Association attended a NatureScape presentation to learn about the Butterfly and Herb Garden Summer Program.

Residents were given native plants to start their own backyard wildlife habitats.