Garden Club And Historical Society Lunch Event Features ‘The Story Of Our Wetlands’

Want to learn a bit about old Florida from its natural side? The Wellington Historical Society and the Wellington Garden Club will host a joint luncheon with featured speakers Mary Crider and Lauren Butcher. Both are environmental education experts with extensive experience in the Florida Everglades.

The topic of their presentation is “History in Every Drop: The Story of Our Wetlands.” Learn how people have used the unique plants, wildlife and waterways of the local wetlands, and how the waters continue to serve humans and wildlife today.

The luncheon will take place from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13, at the National Polo Center’s Mallet Grille, located at 3667 120th Ave. South in Wellington.

Crider is the environmental education supervisor for the Grassy Waters Preserve, a 23-square-mile wetland ecosystem with a nature center located off Northlake Blvd. While completing her thesis work in Ecuador for her master’s degree in environmental science from Florida Atlantic University, she worked closely with local organizations to increase environmental awareness in the area. Seeing the importance of education, she shifted her focus and has now worked with students and the public as an Everglades educator for 12 years.

Butcher has 14 years of experience as an environmental educator. She shares her knowledge of the Everglades with visitors and students as environmental education coordinator at the Grassy Waters Preserve. A third-generation Floridian, Butcher is passionate about connecting people with the natural world in South Florida. She’ll help teach about the history and ecology of the wetland wilderness and about what residents can do to conserve, protect and enjoy its waters.

Join the Wellington Historical Society and the Wellington Garden Club for the luncheon event, where you also can learn more about the two organizations. Tickets are $50 per person, and proceeds will benefit both organizations. They can be purchased at www.eventbrite.com/e/lunch-learn-history-in-every-drop-the-story-of-our-wetlands-tickets-824142200507.

The Wellington Historical Society is a nonprofit organization driven by dedicated residents with the goal of preserving the unique history of Wellington.

For additional information, or to become a member, visit www.wellingtonhistoricalsociety.org.

The Wellington Garden Club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating members and the public in the fields of gardening, horticulture, floral design and landscape design, and to promoting conservation of natural resources, civic beautification and youth education. To learn more, visit www.wellingtongardenclub.org.