A beautiful mural of a monarch butterfly now adorns the “Nancy Comer Cottage” at Baxter’s Pond as part of the planting of the first pollinator gardens at the park and preserve.
The mural and gardens were funded by a grant from the Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District (NCSWCD), according to Kim Keiserman, co-president of the Baxter’s Pond Foundation. She added, “The generous support from NCSWCD enables us to create our first gardens aimed specifically at fostering the pollinators, such as bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, that play a crucial role in our ecosystem.”
Baxter’s Pond Foundation (BPF) is the nonprofit environmental steward of Baxter’s Pond and the surrounding Barbara Johnson Park & Preserve, which are owned by Nassau County.
The striking mural was conceived and painted by local artist and graphic designer Michelle Shain. While painting the mural, Shain said, “it was wonderful to be in the park and meet many visitors of all ages who shared their love of the Pond … I love Port Washington and want to save, improve and appreciate its beauty. May this butterfly educate and inspire us all.”
Along with additional educational signage, “the mural will entice visitors to explore the park, learn more about monarchs and spark passion for conservation of the natural world all around us,” said project leader Holly Byrne. She added that grants from NCSWCD to BPF in the past several years also have enabled a crucial “shorescaping” project to rehabilitate the shoreline of the pond and plant native plants to reduce erosion and run off into Baxter’s Pond and Manhasset Bay.
The Baxter’s Pond Foundation together with ReWild Long Island will hold a fun and interactive Butterfly & Pollinator Workshop on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to noon, for adults and children ages 8 and up (meet at the Baxter’s Pond flagpole). The workshop will be preceded by the official unveiling and dedication of the mural and gardens at 9:30 a.m.
Visit baxterspond.org for more information on BPF’s events and environmental efforts or to donate. BPF can also be found on Facebook and Instagram.
About Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation: Soil and Water Conservation districts are political subdivisions of the State that develop, manage, and direct natural resource programs at the local level. The Nassau County Soil and Water Conservation District, which has been in existence since 1977, has been providing county residents assistance for over 40 years.
—Submitted by the Baxter’s Pond Foundation
