The Garden Club of Jacksonville welcomed Emily Bell of the Florida Wildflower Foundation for April’s Horticulture Corner program, “Florida Wildflowers.” Guests learned how native plants can be used to create habitat for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife right in their own landscapes.
Emily discussed how Florida wildflowers and native plants support local biodiversity while reducing the need for fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. She also shared how choosing native plants can help conserve water resources and provide food for local wildlife, making residential landscapes both beautiful and environmentally beneficial.
Emily Bell joined the Florida Wildflower Foundation in 2022 as its communications coordinator. Before joining the Foundation, she spent four years coordinating invasive species programs with UF/IFAS Extension and the Florida Invasive Species Partnership. She began her conservation career as an intern with The Nature Conservancy and has also worked with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.
With more than a decade of experience in environmental outreach, planning, and network building, Emily brought valuable insight into the importance of native plants in Florida landscapes. Attendees left with a deeper understanding of how their own gardens can support wildlife, protect natural resources, and celebrate the beauty of Florida’s native wildflowers.