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Local Elementary School & Garden Club Create A Butterfly Garden

Updated: Dec 2, 2020

For Immediate Release From: Equality Garden Club Date: December 17, 2019 Contact: Mario Rios Phone: (832) 890-4283 Email: Mariorios682004@yahoo.com Contact: Gary Petonke Phone: (954) 683-7079 Email: gpetonke@yahoo.com Website: http://www.equalitygardenclub.com


“Local Elementary School and Garden Club Join Efforts to Create Butterfly Garden”


On Saturday, December 16, 2019, the Equality Garden Club and the Wilton Manors Elementary School, partnered to create a Butterfly Garden in the large atrium of the school. The garden club, based in Wilton Manors, prepped the area, supplied the plants, mulch, and volunteers who worked alongside teachers, parents, and students to complete this fun project. Mario Rios and Linda Gordon from the garden club, coordinated with school staff member, Lori Goldsmith, IB Magnet Program Coordinator. Ms. Goldsmith said: “We’d like to thank the Equality Garden Club for providing this opportunity for our students to utilize this beautiful space as an outdoor learning lab. The hands-on experience will enable them to gain an appreciation for nature and understand their role in protecting it.”

The atrium, the general gathering place for the students on recess and lunch, now will be a much cleaner, more fun and an educational place for the students to enjoy.

The many butterfly plants that were planted included: Giant Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Panama Rose, Cassia, Firecracker, Fire bush, and Porterweed, along with herbs: Parsley, Mint, and Lavender.

According to garden club member and one of the organizer, Mario Rios: “The first time Lori Goldsmith showed me the atrium garden and explained to us all the things the kids are involved with, it touched me deeply and decided to lead the initiative. Then following completion, to see and hear all the gratitude and love from the kids and staff “Priceless”.

About Wilton Manors Elementary School

Wilton Manors Elementary is the only public school in the Island City of Wilton Manors and the only authorized IBO/PYP School in Broward County. We have students from over twenty six different countries around the world. Our school promotes high expectations of student achievement. Learning is facilitated by the collaborative efforts of school faculty and staff members, parents, community members, volunteers, and business partners.


About Equality Garden Club

Equality Garden Club is a 501(c)3, non-profit garden club, based in Wilton Manors, FL. The club meets the 3rd Wednesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. in the Wilton Manors Hagen Park Community Center, providing world-class speakers to educate and entertain the membership.Additionally the club host’s the popular Annual Plant Fair in March at Richardson Park, in Wilton Manors.


Aerial view of the new Butterfly Garden Atrium
Aerial view of the new Butterfly Garden Atrium
Equality Garden Club members and Wilton Manors Elementary School teachers,  parents, and student volunteers
Equality Garden Club members and Wilton Manors Elementary School teachers, parents, and student volunteers

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ADDENDUM: Recognition


The Equality Garden Club is so happy to be recognized for our contribution of a butterfly garden to Wilton Manors Elementary School. We truly appreciate the amazing children who took part in the project and for the wonderful award and card they sent us as a thank you.



Our 2020 visit to Wilton Manors Elementary School to rejuvenate their butterfly garden inspired some news coverage. Please click the links below to learn more.


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