Miami Palmetto H.S. student Yunxin       Jiao designed the "Connect to Protect"        logo and slogan

  
Join the Connect to Protect Network

Realizing the dream of saving the remaining pine rocklands will require participation of many volunteers as well as public and private landowners.  We have collaborated with The Fairchild Challenge to engage students in restoring pine rockland habitats and planting pine rockland gardens on their school grounds.  In a 2007 Fairchild Challenge contest, a student designed the winning logo and suggested the slogan, "Connect to Protect" for our initiative.  Students have also submitted posters describing the role that corridors play to help pollinators move among pine rockland natural areas.

Why should YOU join our effort to connect pine rocklands?  

Besides preserving our biodiversity and helping the rarest plant species in South Florida, participating in the Connect To Protect Network can benefit you and our community in other ways.  Research by University of Florida scientists indicates that planting native species can significantly lower expenses: installation costs were reduced by one-third and maintenance costs by over three-quarters in a study that compared landscaping with native wildflowers versus St. Augustine turf grass.

This makes intuitive sense:  plant species in their native habitat have adapted to the constraints, challenges and opportunities of their environment, and they "know" how to survive the more difficult years and take advantage of better years.  Thus, native plants don't require as much pesticide, fertilizer, mowing or trimming as other plants. After establishment, native species may require little or no additional water.  Reducing the use of pesticides, fertilizers, and gas-powered equipment will improve water quality and reduce air pollution and
our carbon footprint.  

The rare Atala butterfly relies on pine rocklands to survive

Help us protect pine rocklands for future generations. 

You can participate in the CTPN if you have existing pine rockland habitat on your property or wish to plant a pine rockland garden on your property.  In 2008, as our funding allows, Fairchild is committed to helping interested participants in the following ways:


     1)  Give presentations to your organization on the purpose of the CTPN
     2)  Assist with organizing and training volunteers to clean up your 
              site and plant pine rockland species
     3)  Provide you with pine rockland plants grown in our nursery
     4)  Advise you how to maintain your pine rockland plants
     5)  Put you in contact with other CTPN members for support in your
            efforts

If you are ready to join the Connect to Protect Network or would like more information, please contact Joyce Maschinski at jmaschinski@fairchildgarden.org  or 305-667-1651 X 3416.