Page 20 - Boca Club News - June '21

Page 20, Boca Club News

Nature & Pets

The Environmental Enthusiast:

The Butterfly Connection

By Tina K. VaLant. Remember Dr. underneath. Depositing her egg under a leaf
Doolittle, the man who was able provides shade, protection from wind and rain,
to converse with all the animals? and camouflage from predators.
Boca Raton’s Tina VaLant, who A sudden change in temperature, heavy
was named Palm Beach County wind/rain, aphid invasion, or even predation
“Animal Friend of the Year,” doesn’t by larger larvae all wage war against the tiny
claim that ability, but she does eggs and caterpillars. It just seems so hopeless.
relate remarkably well to flora and Loss of habitat and pesticides are the major
fauna. An avid rescuer (known for contributors in butterfly populations’ rapid
her beloved Australian shepherds), she serves as a foster decline—especially for our beloved monarchs.
home to surrendered pets, volunteers with numerous Yet they persevere, setting an example for us
organizations and assists wildlife. She raises/releases ten to stay focused upon our goals, dreams and
species of native butterflies, for over 20 years. Recently she survival—in spite of the obstacles we face:
garnered worldwide attention with an unexpected animal physically, socially, emotionally and mentally.
adventure: reCRABilitation of HERbert, a limbless blue Since 1949, May has been recognized as
land crab. For over four decades, Tina’s award-winning mental health (awareness) month. Until the
company, Extraordinary Photography, captures portraits, past decade or so, mental health and well-being This newly released orange-barred Sulphur butterfly was lovingly
pets, weddings, and events. She will answer questions at was “best kept to ourselves” or “swept under raised from an egg and released in Boca Raton. Here, she rests upon a
TinaValant.com or (561) 945-6363. the rug.” We all know someone “with issues.” phaelenopsis orchid. Their host plant is cassia.
Butterflies are often associated with mental health One in four adults is affected with a mental
and well-being. For many of us, butterflies magically health condition or imbalance. Faulk volunteer and chaired this important event for years.
appear just when we need a boost, are thinking of a loved Do you, yourself, ever feel off balance, out of sync with By uniting the delicate, graceful beauty of butterflies
one, or need a little hope. These fluttering flowers are the world, or unable to function? with the importance of mental health, our loved ones and
true miracles of nature. Butterflies (and moths) endure a Do you have, or know someone who suffers from, our community at large, we can begin to dissolve the stigmas
magical metamorphosis reliant upon instinct, environmental anxiety, addiction, or depression, ADHD, etc? associated. Why is it alright to share that you are going to
conditions and pure luck! Consider: Have you faced the tragic loss and pain of someone the gym to work on your physicality, but hush-hush that
The mother butterfly must locate the proper host plants: dying by suicide? you see a therapist? Why is it acceptable to take prescribed
While she avoids being killed or eaten, the clock of her Truth be told, we are all affected by mental health, along medication to level an imbalance, yet eyebrows raise when
short life ticks away. She tastes with receptors on her feet, with the stigma of asking for (any type of) help when we you say you go to counseling? Taking the lead on our own
selecting young, tender leaves and avoiding the base of the need it. or our loved ones’ mental health and well-being requires
plant. Bottom leaves are older and susceptible to nutrient This past May 18th, The Faulk Center for Counseling, courage and gumption. When we truly accept ourselves as
loss from over-watering or flooding. How can they know here in Boca Raton, held its annual butterfly release, with whole beings—mind, body and soul—it is then that we will
this? Instinct! limited attendance, social distancing and a livestream. Last truly soar, like the magical butterfly.
Mama-fly chooses to leave her egg atop a leaf, or year’s release was postponed due to you-know-what. I am a

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