Plight of the Butterflies – Flight of the Future
April 16 @ 6:15 pm - 7:30 pm
Evening Tide Talks is a complimentary lecture series featuring expert scientists and world explorers at The Florida Aquarium. A complimentary reception will begin at 5:45 PM, followed by the speaker at 6:15 PM.
As E.O. Wilson once said, insects are “the little things that run the world.” Their loss affects entire ecosystems, from food for birds and mammals to the pollination of plants. The alarming decline of butterflies and other insects in the U.S. over the past 30 years has severe implications for our environment, but we can take action!
Anita has collaborated with numerous universities on Monarch butterfly research and leads butterfly population counts across Florida. She offers talks to raise awareness about the critical role of native plants and pollinators, including audiences from NASA engineers and staff to Jane Goodall’s Roots and Shoots, The Florida Aquarium, TECO, the Florida Wildlife Federation, the City of Tampa Green Team, and various garden clubs. An avid gardener, Anita specializes in plants that attract butterflies, pollinators, and edibles. Her global travels include Canada, Mexico, Malaysia, Europe, and Africa. She has served on multiple environmental and business board of directors and serves as Treasurer of the International Association of Butterfly Exhibitors & Suppliers (IABES). Her gardens were featured on the Rose Circle Annual Garden Tour in South Tampa in 2016, attracting over 900 visitors.
Anita is committed to sharing her expertise with the community. In addition to her role as a wife and mother of four college students, she is a CPA with over 30 years of experience. She retired from her accounting career in January to focus full-time on butterfly conservation. In her talk, Anita will discuss how loss of insect biodiversity impacts humans and why it’s crucial for everyone to take action. She will highlight simple, effective steps individuals and businesses can take to protect our ecosystems, including planting pollinator-friendly gardens, reducing pesticide use, and supporting local conservation efforts. Join us as Anita inspires and empowers us to play a part in safeguarding our environment.