Officials Welcome Baxter Pond’s Native Planting Efforts

The Baxter’s Pond Foundation officially unveiled its new monarch butterfly mural and pollinator gardens on Saturday, June 1, with local dignitaries in attendance. The ceremony was followed by a workshop for local residents on how to select plants for their own pollinator gardens and the importance of the monarch butterfly and its lifecycle.

The event began with music by the duo The Starlite Band and included remarks by BPF co-presidents Kim and John Keiserman, local artist and graphic designer Michelle Shain who created the mural that graces the “Nancy Comer Cottage” at the park’s entrance, and project leader Holly Byrne. In attendance were Nassau County Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton, New York State Assemblywoman Gina Sillitti, Town Councilmember Mariann Dalimonte, and Village of Baxter Estates Mayor Nora Haagenson.

The mural and gardens were funded by a grant from the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD). Baxter’s Pond Foundation (BPF) is the nonprofit environmental steward of Baxter’s Pond and the surrounding Barbara Johnson Park & Preserve, which are owned by Nassau County.

The Butterfly and Pollinator Workshop was held in conjunction with ReWild Long Island. Kimberly Simmen, Director of Sustainable Horticulture for ReWild, and student organizer Cynthia Zhang explained to the rapt attendees about the ecosystems in our home and community gardens, focusing on easy-to-grow native plants and the bee, butterfly and moth life they support. “The wonderful take-away was the importance of maintaining native plant habitats to support all of our essential pollinators,” said Kim Keiserman.

Visit baxterspond.org for more information on BPF’s events and environmental efforts or to donate. BPF can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.