INSECTIVOROUS ODDITIES

Sundrenched Venus Flytraps spread their maws in anticipation of a meal of ants, flies and creepy crawlies to provide the much needed nitrogen to the barren, sandy, loamy soils of Boiling Spring Lakes are incapable of providing. Thus began the evolution of these Insectivorous Oddities that are only found in NC and to a lesser extent in our sister state of SC, that make their home within a 100 mile radius of Wilmington. They and their lesser known cousins, the Pitcher Plants and Sundews are a true natural wonder deserving of Preservation and Protection from the rampant permanent devastation of habitat in the name of Progress.

I am proud of being part of the partial solution to this widespread problem. I am also proud of my city for taking the initiative to save a miniscule number of these unique treasures under the Guidance of Julie Moore and Tyler Gramley, with the proper permits in hand, to transplant these Evolutionary Wonders to a safer environment to ensure their future survival.

​I awoke this morning with my thighs, back and knees screaming @ me from squatting, bending over and repeating to extract these otherworldly creations from Sphagnum and Club Moss filled ditches, only to repeat these positions in a suitable protective habitat transplanting them. I will survive and hopefully so will our Precious Charges.

​I thank everyone who showed up to fight the flies, fire ants, chiggers and mosquitoes, the heat and humidity and sweat in their eyes in order to make a difference in this world - my world - of the Ditches of Brunswick County.