The Jones County Library is so much more than books, but that is not news to anyone who has visited the library in the past couple of years.
One of the most recent additions to its outdoor education programs is the Butterfly Garden. The initial planning of the area on the Forest Avenue side of the building took place April 8 under the guidance of Christina Barker. She is not only a Master Gardener, but Barker is also the landscaping manager of Ace Garden Center. All the plants and supplies for the project were donated by Ace of Gray.
In addition to Barker, Library Branch Manager Julie King said Gray Garden Club members and Master Gardeners came out to help, along with many patrons, to assist in planting the area. She said the April 8 event was only the start, and another community planting day will be scheduled later in the month.
“Christina did a wonderful talk about pollinators and how important they are to our plants,” the manager said.
King said Barker explained that, when growing a garden and some plants seem to die, many times it is because they are not pollinated.
“Our hope is that this butterfly garden will promote patrons to start their own gardens,” she said.
King said the library hopes to have seeds from the garden each year added to its seed catalogue so patrons can begin their own gardens.
“Eventually we will be putting out signs to explain the pollination process and names of the plants, which will help bring clarity to how easy this is and how beneficial for our county,” she added.
King noted that the library had two outdoor areas at its entrances that were bare and unused. The plan is to create botanical and environmental education areas. She said most programming is inside the building, and one of the strategic plan goals of the Jones County Library is to bring outdoor education to the community.
Plans include the creation of a butterfly/ bee garden with interactive and sensory areas to help teach patrons of all ages the importance of protecting the environment.
“And how to take care of the land entrusted to us as public servants. This area would become an outdoor classroom,” the manager said.
