What: MRFC September 2018 Meeting - Shari Blissett-Clark- Bats & Gardens
When: Monday, September 10th, 2018 at 7pm
Where: Harlee Building/County Fairgrounds, 1303 17th St W, Palmetto, FL 34221
Bats & Gardens: A Natural Connection - Not long ago Florida was adorned with old growth forests, clean waterways, and wide expanses of connected scrublands. These habitats supported the most diverse plant and animal communities in North America, each one closely dependent on the health of the other.
People also found La Florida, the Land of Flowers, attractive and the human population has grown from 530,000 in 1900 to over 21 million in 2017! This growth has made Florida is a very different place today; deforestation, agriculture, and urbanization of Florida’s land, water, and air has resulted in the disappearance of countless plant and animal species, and entire ecosystems are changing rapidly, leaving the remaining flora and fauna to quickly adapt – or die.
Florida’s bats are fighting to survive and despite their protected status, many people still unjustly persecute them because of myth and misconception. Bats are poisoned by insecticides and pollutants, and left homeless by the careless disturbance of roosts.
This program examines the myths and misconceptions that surround bats and discusses the important environmental services they provide to human health and agriculture. Live Florida bats will be exhibited after the program.
There will be the usual plant raffle and tasting table. We welcome donations of edible plants and fruit for the raffle and fruit dishes for the tasting table. Donors will receive a free ticket for the raffle. Additional tickets can be purchased
