- April 3, 2025
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Horticultural specialist Caroline Chomanics helps attendees spot butterflies in the Nehrling Gardens during the Butterfly Buddies children workshop July 15.
Colton Fletcher, 4, jumps at the invitation to smell the almond bushes in Nehrling Gardens July 15.
Attendees of the Butterfly Buddies children workshop held July 15 at Nehrling Gardens hike through the area searching for butterflies.
Horticultural specialist Caroline Chomanics educates attendees about the flora in Nehrling Gardens during the Butterfly Buddies children workshop July 15.
Ecology specialist David Chomanics displays tiny caterpillars munching on some leaves to kids during the Butterfly Buddies children workshop at Nehrling Gardens on July 15.
In addition to information about butterflies, attendees were given quick facts about the flora inhabiting Nehrling Gardens.
Horticultural specialist Caroline Chomanics helps kids spot a caterpillar in the Nehrling Gardens during the Butterfly Buddies children workshop July 15.
This bright orange butterfly, the gulf fritillary, also known as passion butterfly was one of many species of butterflies eluding the curious hands of the children who attended Nehrling Gardens’ first butterfly education class July 15.
Maliya Cushman, 4, concentrates while she perfects her seed bomb.
Maliya Cushman, 4, Mica Cushman, 6, and Luke Leininger, 4, make their own seed bomb which are used to grow wildflowers for butterflies during the butterfly education workshop held at Nehrling Gardens July 15.
Garden caretakers Caroline Chomanics, (left), and Kassy Holmes smile after leading Nehrling Gardens’ first ever butterfly education class, Butterfly Buddies, on July 15
Sisters Berkley Hosman, 8, and Lilah Hosman, 4, craft their own seed bombs used to grow wildflowers for butterflies during the butterfly education class at Nehrling Gardens July 15.
Claire O’Malley, 8, receives a lantana plant in a flower pot along with the rest of the children who attended the butterfly education class held at Nehrling Gardens July 15.
In an effort to teach kids ages four to 10 about butterflies, Nehrling Gardens held its first ever Butterfly Buddies children workshop.
Starting with a powerpoint presentation and video, attendees were given a brief rundown about the life cycle of butterflies native to Florida, butterfly anatomy, how they benefit the environment, the kinds of plants butterflies can be found around and why they’re important for the ecosystem.
After the presentation, the children were invited to go butterfly hunting outside in the six acres of the gardens for Monarchs, Zebra Longwings, Gulf Fritillaries, Skippers and different kids of swallowtails. The butterfly hunt was then followed by a “nature craft session,” which allowed the children to make their own seed bombs to grow wildflowers for butterflies.
“A lot of the kids that were here today have never been here before,” said Kassy Holmes, a Nehrling Gardens' caretaker. “A lot of them said it was really cool, they just liked pointing out things ... just being outdoors."
The Nehrling Gardens' staff hopes the workshop teaches kids to value butterflies and develop an appreciation for nature. While this workshop was the first of its kind held at Nehrling Gardens, the staff hopes to continue the workshops and start a kids education program in the future.
