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The
Panhandle Butterfly House at Navarre Beach Nature Walk.
Founded
in 1996 by Jack and Fonda Wetherall, the Butterfly House began as a cooperative efforts of the Santa Rosa Clean Community
Systems, Inc., the Santa Rosa County Extension Service and the Navarre Chamber of Commerce. After being devastated by both
hurricanes Ivan and Dennis and having been rebuilt, it continues with the strong support of community volunteers and Florida
Master Gardeners. It is a completely volunteer program, focused on promoting environmental stewardship, butterfly conservation
efforts, and a better understanding of butterflies and their natural world. MGs and community volunteers work many hours
maintaining the structure, plants, grounds and butterflies, as well as serving as docents and tour guides. The UF Gardens - Milton (The Teaching and Demonstration
on the campus of PJC-Milton.
Beginning as a Tropical Garden
in 1997, the gardens are now a demonstration of what is suited for NW Florida’s gardens. They provide an experimental testing
ground for new crops, a panorama of what is new in the retail market, and a teaching environment for the general public. Master
Gardeners work under the direction of Dr. Mack Thetford of the UF faculty helping with maintenance of the gardens and serving
as docents. CLC Community Life Center Butterfly
Garden.
Started in 1999 as a butterfly memorial garden,
it fell into disarray during the storms of 2004. It is now supported by Santa Rosa County Masters Gardeners in exchange for
use of the facilities. Growing Gardeners.
Since 2001, the Santa Rosa Master Gardeners have helped ESE students in one
of Navarre’s public schools learn to plant and maintain a raised bed vegetable garden. The students learn vegetable gardening,
and then prepare and consume the bounties of their harvest.
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UF/IFAS Santa Rosa County Teaching and Demonstration Garden.
Located on the grounds of the Santa Rosa Extension facility, the gardens were
started in 2003 as a cooperative effort of the Santa Rosa County Board of County Commissioners, the Santa Rosa County Extension
Office and the Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners. The Gardens serve as an integral part of the Santa Rosa Residential Horticultural
program by showcasing plants sustainable in our area and the appropriate techniques to maintain them. They are open to the
general public and provide ideas for landscaping design, planting and maintenance procedures. Santa Rosa County Master Gardeners
assist in maintaining the gardens. Fairs,
Festivals and Traveling Displays.
Master Gardeners provide
educational booths at both the Pensacola Intrastate Fair and the Santa Rosa County Fair each year. In addition, their traveling
displays can be seen at numerous festivals, including the Forestry Conclave at PJC, the Baby Shower at the Florida Wildlife
Sanctuary, Earth Day at Knotts Landing in Fort Walton and the Jay Peanut Festival. On occasion, displays will be also
be on exhibit in the county libraries. Diagnostic Walk-In
Clinics.
Master Gardeners provide horticultural assistance
to clients both over the phone, and on a walk-in basis at two Santa Rosa County locations, the South Annex Service Center
between Gulf Breeze and Navarre and the Milton Extension. Soil pH testing is also available. Garden Mosaics.
Beginning
in 2009, the Santa Rosa Master Gardeners, under the direction of the Santa Rosa Residential Horticultural Agent, have been
supplementing the 7th grade science program at a local Middle School. Sound gardening principles and environmental topics
that relate to the student's curriculum are presented by MG's with interactive and hands-on sessions. Topics such as
vermicomposting, birds, pollinators, and invasive species are presented during the school year. MG's are planning
to add additional programs in each successive school year.
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