Hardy’s Nature Guide for Young Naturalists I’m Hardy— your Phil Hardberger Park guide to adventure and learning

Wildflowers of the Park Why are wildflowers important?

Wildflowers of the Park Wildflowers do many things to sustain the ecosystem. They anchor soil and help retain water. They provide food, cover and nesting material for butterflies and other insects, birds and other species. Some wildflowers, such as Horsemint, Lindheimer’s Senna and Larkspur, can be used like medicine. Some wildflowers provide beautiful dyes. And wildflowers make us happy with their beauty! What are some ways the flowers are the same? What are some ways they differ?

Butterflies and Bugs Why do you think we see so many butterflies in the park?

Butterflies and Bugs The savanna and wildflowers attract lots of butterflies. What similarities and differences can you see in how they look? One of the insects of the park is the dung beetle. Dung is animal droppings. These beetles roll dung into balls and roll the balls away. How do you think dung beetles help us?

Acknowledgements My thanks go to the many naturalists who provided essential assistance with identifications, photographs and information: Floyd Waller, Jerry Morrisey, Gail Gallegos, Wendy Leonard, Susan Campbell, Peggy Spring, Wendy Thornton, Stan Drezek, Joanne Wells, Jerry Morrisey, Liz Robbins, Jessica Leslie, Lora Render, Barbara Schmidt and all the authors of A Resource Guide for Phil Hardberger Park and the Oak Loop Trail.