| Media Contact: Lisa Wilson, APR, public relations 239-334-7419 PHOTO: Participants count butterflies at Edison & Ford Winter Estates during the North American Butterfly Association’s 43rd annual butterfly count. Edison & Ford Winter Estates Participating in National Butterfly Count FORT MYERS, Fla. (June 20, 2018) — On July 13, from 10 a.m. to noon. Edison & Ford Winter Estates will participate in the North American Butterfly Association’s (NABA) 43rd annual butterfly count. Results of the count help researchers monitor butterfly population trends throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. Teams of butterfly spotters will count butterflies at locations in Fort Myers and Cape Coral, including Edison Ford. Volunteers are needed in all locations. Experience is helpful, but not required, as groups will include both beginners and seasoned butterfly enthusiasts. Those with less experience can help record data or take photos. Last year, volunteers counted 134 butterflies of 19 different species. The butterfly garden at Edison Ford is a NABA Certified Butterfly Garden. For anyone wishing to create their own butterfly garden, both nectar and host plants are available for sale in the Garden Shoppe. Horticulturists are on site daily to answer questions about plant selection and maintenance. Butterfly spotters should be prepared to walk outside for at least two hours in hot, humid weather. To participate in the count, all volunteers must register with Britta at [email protected] before July 11. |