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Mia Jenkins
Mia Jenkins is the Director of Marketing and Communications for Botanica, The Wichita Gardens, located in the Museums on the River District at 701 Amidon. Botanica was opened to the public in 1987 to generate enthusiasm for horticulture and enlighten people through educational, artistic, and cultural experiences. With this mission, Botanica’s gardens and programs expand public awareness of horticulture, educate Kansans about how nature can improve their daily lives, and assist in the promotion of community development.Feel free to contact Botanica for information on volunteering, special events or for what’s in bloom at 316-264-0448.
Flowers & Plants
2008-05-01 13:20:00
Saving our birds in America
Question: What is Botanica’s Woodland Bird Garden?
Answer: Opening on June 15, The Woodland Bird Garden is the 25th themed garden at Botanica, The Wichita Gardens. This garden is dedicated to habitat development for attracting and sustaining wildlife populations. According to the National Audubon Society, 20 species of common North American birds have suffered drastic population declines over the past 40 years. Farming, urban development and other factors that cause a direct loss of habitat are to blame for most of the declines, but climate change is also a growing threat. Botanica has always been attractive to birds because the landscape provides the four fundamental things that a bird needs to survive: food, water, shelter and space. However, there has never been a garden area specifically dedicated to the viewing of the more than 93 species that have been documented in the Gardens over the past ten years. The Woodland Bird Garden is an enhanced natural habitat that will display trees, shrubs, perennial and annual plantings that provide food, shelter and/or nesting sites for a variety of native and migratory bird species year-round. Interpretive signage will allow the visitor to learn more about identifying birds, feeding preferences and the plants to use in the home landscape to enhance the habitat to attract birds. Birdfeeders will supplement the plant material during the seasons where natural food is scarce and provide concentrated populations of birds for our visitors’ viewing pleasure. Make plans to visit Botanica to find out what you can do to help restore and sustain bird populations in our area and the simple things that you can do to make your habitat more friendly for our feathered friends. You can view the birds that call Botanica home from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission is $6.50 for adults, $5.50 for seniors (62+), and $3 for youth (5-21). Children 5 and under are admitted free. From our garden to yours- best of luck in all of your gardening endeavors!
 
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