On February 2nd, 2021, Johnny Butterflyseed, of Three Psilos, Inc., gained possession of a one-acre tract on the Lake Wales Ridge in Lake Placid, Florida. Dedicated as “The Joyce E. Anderson Memorial Butterfly Preserve and Monarch Waystation” or simply “Joyce’s Garden,” the site will also serve as Johnny Butterflyseed’s Endangered Species Research Substation on the Southern Lake Wales Ridge.
Adjacent on all sides to state-owned preserves, 708 Dolphin Ave (Parcel C-20-36-30-030-0080-0010) is a bay swamp, or baygall, with little to no fire for decades. There is a thick peat layer indicating at least 100 years of peat growth. The site is likely a former cypress stand which was clear cut and abandoned; sold as wasteland in the early to mid 1900s. Its situation near the Lake Wales Ridge WEA – Royce Unit makes it a perfect site for a Black Bear or Florida Panther den.
The surrounding lands are owned by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Trust Fund of the State of Florida (TIITF) and the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC). The neighboring TIITF/FWICC land has more upland sandhill scrub area, due to higher elevation and recent prescribed fires.
The acquisition of Joyce’s Garden by Johnny Butterflyseed couldn’t be a better fit for Florida Ecology. Three Psilos, Inc. will produce a complete Ecology Report, and with it a Land Management Plan, including prescribed fire in concert with the Okeechobee District Field Unit of the Florida Forest Service. In the near term, Michael Vera, Chief Ecologist and Restoration Land Manager for Three Psilos, Inc., will develop an Emergency Ecology Report which describes those activities that should commence immediately, for the health of the baygall, and the neighboring scrub community.
A conservation easement agreement will be created as soon as possible, helping ensure this rare Florida feature can remain. This land has been registered as an official Monarch Waystation, under Monarch Watch’s Monarch Waystation Program.
In total, nearly 70,000 square feet have been dedicated to the feeding and well-being of Monarchs and other butterflies on the Lake Wales Ridge. In time, every species of Florida Native Milkweed (asclepias) will be represented on site or neighboring scrubs. Further, Joyce’s Garden will become a sanctuary for the endangered Florida Milkvine (matalea floridana) and Pine Lily (lilium catesbaei), both of which are currently being hand-raised in Johnny Butterflyseed’s Tissue Culture Laboratory. Native carnivorous plants are also being cultured to support the Pine Lily.
While Monarch Butterflies are the target of the Monarch Waystation program, this site supports multiple species of butterfly, all throughout the calendar year, and as such is also being dedicated as the largest Butterfly Preserve on the Lake Wales Ridge. Each Florida Native Larval Host Plant, that is suitable for the site, is planned to be included in Joyce’s Garden. This will attract and support every Florida Native Butterfly on the Lake Wales Ridge.