Nature Center can help with next year’s garden

Local naturalists Patricia Sutton and Gretchen Ferrante maintain that now is the perfect time to think about next year, so each lead a backyard habitat garden planning workshop next month.
Sutton will present her final fall workshop, “How to Create a Wildflower Meadow and Pond,” on, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Handouts will include her list of native trees, shrubs, and vines most utilized by birds, butterflies, mammals, and the many insects that birds feast on, as well as a list of primary book and Internet resources.
Before attending the workshop, you should download, print, and bring the Sutton’s articles “How to Create a Butterfly and Hummingbird Garden” and the “Recommended Plantings to Attract Hummingbirds, Butterflies, and Moths.”
They are available at:
njaudubon.org/Education/BackyardHabitat/ButterHummGarden.html and njaudubon.org/Education/BackyardHabitat/KeyPlants.html.
On Nov. 22, Gretchen Ferrante will teach the popular “Natural Garden: a Landscape Design Workshop” from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ferrante will demonstrate how to create a backyard haven for native and migratory birds and butterflies.
Participants will leave the workshop with a design plan in hand and a tote bag full of valuable resources. Weather permitting; workshop attendees will visit several local gardens to observe unique wildlife habitat designs.
Ferrante will also describe the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) grants that are available this fall to property owners in southern Cape May County.
WHIP grants offer U.S.D.A. cost-sharing assistance to homeowners in developing wildlife-friendly landscaping on their property.
Landowners can receive up to $300 toward establishing native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants that will improve habitat for local and migratory birds and butterflies.
In order to be eligible, applicants must own property in Cape May, West Cape May, Cape May Point, or Lower Township.
The workshop fee for each is $30, reduced to $20 for New Jersey Audubon Society members.
Attendance is limited to 30 participants per session.
The Nature Center of Cape May is located at 1600 Delaware Ave., Cape May.
Pre-registration is recommended for all programs. Call 609-898-884.