We’re talking about plants and pollinators at the Matheson History Museum for Sarah’s Birthday Bash! Presented in honor of Sarah Hamilton Matheson’s birthday, this free event features live music and community organizations.

The Florida Museum’s Daniels Lab will be chatting with guests about the importance of native plants, wildflowers and more at this family-friendly event! Pollinators are an extremely important part of the ecosystem but you don’t have to be a researcher to help protect them.

Planting native flowering plants in your yard, patio and even in pots can provide vital habitats and food for bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinators. To help you get started, the Daniels Lab team are bringing out FREE plants to help support pollinator conservation. Pick up a free plant and plant for pollinators!

Each visitor can choose one plant from a variety of native species, available on a first come, first served basis until we’re out:

• Rayless Sunflower
• Dune Sunflower
• Sunshine Mimosa
• Blanketflower
• Giant Ironweed
• Chapman’s Goldenrod
• Tall Elephantsfoot

Sarah’s Birthday Bash

We’re excited to attend the Matheson History Museum’s annual celebration! Sarah was the last resident of the historic Matheson House, which was bequeathed to the Museum on her death in 1996. Check out a list of performers, vendors and more for Sarah’s Birthday Bash:

Special Offer for Nonprofit Organizations!

Plant for Pollinators is offering eligible non-profits the chance to receive 35 free plant plugs at this event to create their own native plant gardens. Recipients will receive around 7 plants of each species as well as suggestions for how to install them at their nonprofit. This number of plants will fill approximately 48 square feet, roughly the size of a king-sized bed. Please ensure that you have the appropriate amount of space and people to maintain the plants to give your garden the best chance of success.

• Reach out to monarchbeer@floridamuseum.ufl.edu to apply.
• Offer is only valid for eligible nonprofits
• Please secure a commitment from your team to plant, establish, and maintain the pollinator planting.
• Plants must be picked up between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. from  the Sept. 13 Plant for Pollinators event at the Matheson History Museum.
• The plant species are: Spotted bee balm, Lanceleaf Coreopsis, Starry rosinweed, Black-eyed Susan and Butterflyweed.

More resources

• Florida’s Wildflowers & Butterflies – Learn about the 50 most common wildflowers and butterflies in our state, and how to plant to best support local pollinators.
• Endangered Butterflies in a Changing Climate – Our online exhibit explores the Miami blue butterfly, one of the most critically endangered butterfly species in the united States.
• Butterfly Brochures & Resources – Download and print a butterfly coloring book, butterfly brochures and garden signs.

Florida Museum on the Go!

Find us out into the community at favorite spots around town while our public exhibits building is closed for the big expansion project. We’re bringing the Florida Museum to farmers markets, libraries and other local events around Alachua County. You never know where the next Pop-Up Museum or Pop-Up Gift Shop will surprise you.