“Applying Ecological Principles in the Garden Ecosystem” is the sixth lecture of the 33rd annual lecture series, “The Delicate Balance of Nature.” Set for Wednesday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m., the lecture is sponsored by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Dagny Johnson Key Largo Hammock Botanical State Park.
Speaker Cynthia Nazario-Leary is the environmental horticulture agent with the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences in Alachua County. Nazario-Leary will provide a foundation for understanding how to find ecological context in a garden ecosystem by delving into the fundamental definitions of ecology, its various levels, and the concepts of ecological niches and succession.
Through thoughtful design and management, she’ll explore the practical applications of these principles, and reveal why incorporating ecological principles in your landscape can lead to thriving, sustainable, garden ecosystems that enhance biodiversity and protection of natural resources.
Find out how you can make a difference in your own backyard at the visitor center and aquarium building inside John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The park is located at MM 102.5, oceanside, and there is no cost to enter the park for the lecture series. Doors open at 7 p.m. and the lecture begins at 7:30. Seating is limited, so it is recommended that visitors arrive on time to be assured of a seat in the auditorium, which is wheelchair accessible. Bring your own cushion for added seating comfort. Temperatures in the auditorium vary and a sweater or light jacket may be desired. Please help us to accommodate those who are chemically sensitive by not wearing fragrances and other scented products.
For more information or accessibility needs, contact Elena Muratori, park services specialist, at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State park, (305) 676-3786. For more information on Florida’s State Parks, visit www.floridastateparks.org.
