Daniela Champney

Presentation by Daniela Champney: “Planting Pine Rockland plants to help save this ecosystem and attract pollinators.”

Brief abstract: The Connect to Protect Network (CTPN) has its focus on the pine rocklands – our fragmented, endangered ecosystem, which many people have never even heard about. Members of CTPN plant pine rockland plants in their yards, attracting butterflies and other pollinators. In this presentation you will find out what you can do beyond planting in your own yard. In addition, we will talk about our project of promoting the locustberry to help bring back the threatened Florida Duskywing butterfly.

This picture of Daniela (lower right) was taken while planting
a CTPN school garden with students.

Bio: Daniela has been involved with the Fairchild Conservation team for the past five years. She began as a volunteer in the nursery and over time started assuming more responsibilities of the Connect to Protect Network (CTPN). This led to her covering the managerial aspects of CTPN, including outreach and organization. She enjoys the mix of admin, gardening, education, and interaction with the public. Daniela is presently the Program Manager of the Connect to Protect Network at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens.

She is an avid gardener who has been working with native plants in her own yard since arriving in Miami over a decade ago.