CAMDEN — Together with The Camden Public Library, Camden Garden Club presents the fourth talk in The Winter Horticulture Series, on Tuesday, Feb. 20, from 9:30 - 11 a.m. All are welcome.

The program is free with pre-registration. Go to CamdenGardenClub.org under Events. 

Doug Tallamy, TA Baker, Professor of Agriculture and co-founder of Homegrown National Parks, presents Container Garden, Butterfly Gardens. Tallamy is an entomologist, conservationist, and educator who has been with the University of Delaware for 42 years, researcher, author including NYT's best-selling Nature's Best Hope and co-founder of Homegrown National Park.                                                                                                                                        

Biodiversity is a running theme throughout Tallamy’s writing and presentations. 

“It is biodiversity,” said the Garden Club, in a news release. “It is the species, the plants and animals, and everything else in our ecosystems that run those ecosystems. And there's pretty good data showing that the more species that are in an ecosystem, the more stable and more productive it is. And, as you add species, it becomes more stable and productive. But as you take them away, it becomes less stable and productive. We've been doing a lot of taking away in recent years. Those are the ecosystems that keep humans alive. 

“If we can be very anthropocentric about this, they produce what we call ecosystem services. That's the life support we all depend on. The big problem is that we've been whittling away at that life support ever since we evolved. We're now taking away ecosystem function faster than it can regenerate. People are so separated from nature these days, that they don't realize that vital connection. So they think we can be independent of the natural world, and that's a deadly culture.

“As a powerful and relevant subject, of special interest to all, enter the world of Doug Tallamy. There will be something to learn for everyone. The focus is butterflies, a good place to start.”

For additional information and to remain informed about upcoming events through Camden Garden Club, visit the Club’s website and sign up for their newsletter at camdengardenclub.org.

The oldest garden club in Maine, the Camden Garden Club cultivates the art of gardening to its fullest sense, develops and preserves beauty in and around Camden, and promotes civic improvements, education, and conservation of natural resources. For more information on the Club and its activities visit camdengardenclub.org.