Petals and Pathways program
cultivates wellbeing in Levy County

Participants, hosts and instructors in the Petals and Pathways program are seen in the Levy County Government Center Cafeteria as they learn in this event by UF/IFAS Levy County Extension.
Photo By UF/IFAS Levy County Extension Director Mark W. Warren

By Horticulture Program Assistant Barbara L. Edmonds
UF/IFAS Levy County Extension
Published Aug. 2, 2025 at 9 a.m.
     BRONSON – A therapeutic horticulture program intended to cultivate connection, wellbeing, and hope in Levy County wrapped up a successful month-long program on July 29.

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     The Petals and Pathways program is a University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Levy County Extension horticulture program designed to increase social engagement, stimulate cognition, and improve overall wellbeing among socially isolated adults, individuals experiencing dementia-like symptoms, as well as helping their caregivers.
     Led by UF/IFAS Extension Levy County Horticulture Program Assistant Barbara L. Edmonds and specially trained Nature Coast Master Gardener volunteers, the monthlong program demonstrated how nature-based activities can provide meaningful opportunities for connection, creativity and emotional wellness.
     “Dementia is an umbrella term for neurocognitive disorders that impact a person’s quality of life,” Edmonds said. “Cells in one or more areas of the brain cease to function properly. Depending on the affected area, this can impair a person’s ability to think clearly, communicate, remember new information, and plan or sequence tasks. Dementia also affects emotional well-being and changes how individuals perceive the world around them.”
     This session of the Petals and Pathways program helped fill a gap in services available to Levy County residents. While existing providers do an excellent job addressing physical health and safety needs, there are fewer opportunities that intentionally support emotional well-being, cognitive stimulation, and meaningful social interaction for people living with dementia and those who care for them, Edmonds noted.

Kimberly Goggin (left) and Chrisy Read, a Nature Coast Master Gardener volunteer, participate in the Petals and Pathways program.
Photo By Barbara L. Edmonds
UF/IFAS Levy County Extension


     Held on July 8, 15, 22 and 29, the one-hour weekly sessions used therapeutic horticulture principles to engage participants through structured, plant-based activities in a welcoming, non-clinical environment. Throughout the four-week series, Nature Coast Master Gardener volunteers focused on creating a setting that emphasized safety, comfort, dignity and a sense of calm for both caregivers and their companions.
     Each session featured a unique activity designed to stimulate long-term memories, encourage conversation, and foster a sense of accomplishment through active participation, Edmonds said. Volunteers were trained to recognize each participant’s individual abilities and adapt activities to their interests and skill levels, allowing everyone to participate successfully. This personalized approach helped cultivate confidence, self-efficacy, and a meaningful sense of achievement.
     Participant feedback reflected the positive impact of the program.
     Many participants highlighted “the great support and companionship” and the individualized attention provided by the Nature Coast Master Gardener volunteers. Others commented on the importance of engaging multiple senses, noting that “smell, touch and sight” enhanced the experience, and that “different scents stimulate memories,” Edmonds said.
     One participant observed that “each step of the process was organized in a smooth order...each participant was able to participate.” Many individuals participating in the program also expressed appreciation for the opportunity to socialize and share experiences with others. One caregiver described the program as “an experience to enjoy with my mother that engaged her.”
     “Working with plants (and with the Master Gardeners’ help) is very relaxing. As a caregiver, I really needed the peaceful vibe of the program,” another caregiver said.
     “I have enjoyed the sharing aspect every week,” a healthcare professional attending the series commented. “The entire course was very intimate, easy to follow, and something that can be easily replicated. I will be incorporating all of the activities we have done together into visits with my home patients.”
     Anonymous participant surveys further demonstrated the program’s success.
     Ninety-one percent of the 11 caregivers in this program in Levy County strongly agreed that their companion demonstrated enjoyment of the program through their engagement, facial expressions, or body language.
     Ninety-one percent of the 43 participant responses showed individuals strongly agreed that they believe structured nature and plant-based activities might help support emotional wellbeing for caregivers, people diagnosed with dementia, and for people who feel socially isolated.
     The written and verbal feedback illustrates the value of therapeutic horticulture as an evidence-informed approach to supporting individuals living with dementia and those who care for them.
     Through compassionate volunteer service and the healing power of plants, the Nature Coast Master Gardener volunteers who were part of this program created an environment where participants could connect with nature, strengthen social relationships, stimulate memories, and experience moments of joy and accomplishment.
     The Petals and Pathways program demonstrates on manner in which UF/IFAS Levy County Extension continues to meet emerging community needs by translating university research into practical, meaningful programs that improve the quality of life for underserved populations.

Spider Surprise

As people in the Tri-County Area find occasions to enjoy their time outdoors at night, it is advised to bring a flashlight. Even then, there can be a spider surprise as indicated by this web missing a couple of strands where a man bumped it on Tuesday night looking for Moon shots. To put it in perspective that is about an 18-inch wide web.
Photo By Jeff M. Hardison © July 29, 2026 at 4 p.m.
All Right Reserved

ReCedar Key beach plants keep growing
Photos By Sharon Hardison © July 23, 2026 at 9 a.m.

While Tropical Storm Bertha is going west, Cedar Key Beach on Wednesday morning (July 22) was pleasant with a summer breeze keeping it relatively pleasant to visit. And speaking of a cool beach, this sign shows observers how they can avoid disturbing the horseshoe crabs that are nesting there, as well as help in research of this marine creature.

Another spiffy aspect of this beach are the grassy plants that help reduce erosion. To see the April 25, 2026 story and photos under the headline -- Volunteers restore plants on islands – click HERE.
Photos By Sharon Hardison © July 23, 2026 at 9 a.m.

Fanning Springs State Park
offers wonders for $6

This is a view from the boardwalk looking toward the swimming or wading area, as well as the floating dock, which is accessible by boat from the river.

Story and Photos By Jeff M. Hardison © July 17, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
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Do Not Copy and Paste to Social Media or Elsewhere
     FANNING SPRINGS – A visit to Fanning Springs State Park on the morning of July 15 offered a chance to take a relatively quick walk-through of the state park to see how it is doing nowadays.
     One visitor on this venture used her annual state park pass to enter and her husband, a journalist, used a one-day pass he had won during a Dixie County Chamber of Commerce meeting earlier this year.
     Fanning Springs State Park is a Florida State Park, located on U.S. Highway 19 in the City of Fanning Springs. It contains one of the state’s 33 first magnitude springs. As of 2008, decreased water emission levels at the springs technically requalify the first magnitude status as “historical first magnitude.”
     People visit the park to go swimming, enjoy picnics, utilize a camping area and more. The address is 18020 N.W. U.S. Highway 19, Fanning Springs.
     The park includes 200 acres and is now managed by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.
     The park is open from 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.
     The current cost to enter the park is $6 per vehicle for up to eight occupants; $4 single-occupant vehicle. There is a $2 fee for pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass. Therefore, although an intrepid, illustrious and prolific journalist used a voucher worth $6, he chose that rather than paying $2.
     There is a $2 fee for each passenger arriving by boat, -- which is paid at an honor box on dock. Some boaters are more honorable than others.
     There are fees to rent picnic pavilions. They are -- One large pavilion: $25 per day plus tax; and two smaller pavilions are available for $15 per day plus tax.
     There is group primitive camping for paddlers, hikers and cyclists only. For more details about these options and other camping options – including cabins, contact the park.
Know before you go
     Effective July 25, The floating dock at Fanning Springs State Park will be undergoing an improvement project. The dock will remain open except for marked areas where contractors will be working.


Cypress knees and trees, and oaks and other flora are seen from the boardwalk.


A couple of the many spiders in the park are noticed here. At night, when the park is closed and it is very dark, spiders’ eyes light up when a bright light is shining toward them. This is true not only in the park but also everywhere.


A stream flows through the park and is noticed from the boardwalk as it flows toward the meandering Suwannee River.


This morning, the Suwannee River is so calm that it reflects almost as well as a polished mirror.


Perhaps not noticed here (near center of picture), a small spider dangles over the river. The surface of the water is so smooth that the point where poles enter the water is not very discernable either.


A long lens brings the small spider closer into view.


The art of a spider’s web is captured in the morning sunlight.


A giant cypress tree stands as a marker next to the swimming area.


This view of the swimming area is near the deeper point where the water springs up from underground.


Known as a location to see sturgeon jump Fanning Springs State Park has this sturgeon art visible from the highway.


A closer look at the sturgeon art captures them as being relatively cute. However, this protected prehistoric species has scutes. Acting like a natural suit of armor, scutes are primitive, modified scales that protect the ancient ‘living fossils’ from predators, especially when the fish are young and vulnerable.


And the art shows these sculptures are smiling – as happy as many campers and other visitors to Fanning Springs State Park.

     Located along the meandering Suwannee River, Fanning Springs State Park is an inviting source of cool, clear, crisp water that has attracted people for thousands of years.
     On that Wednesday, the swimming area included places where wading was possible due to the river being relatively lower than sometimes.
     The springs offer the perfect 72-degree water to cool down on hot Florida days and an abundance of underwater wildlife to view. Musk turtles, bass, mullet, freshwater flounder, bowfin (and manatees during the colder days) inhabit the springs and river.
     Visitors can enjoy grilling and picnicking under majestic live oaks or a friendly game of volleyball on the white sand court. A playground provides diversion where young guests can swing and play. A boardwalk allows visitors to step back in time to old Florida with a stroll through a breathtaking cypress swamp with cypress knees standing 6 feet tall. This boardwalk ends with an overlook and view of the Suwannee River. 
     During the summer, visitors can sometimes see massive sturgeon jumping. During a 10-minute view of the river, no sturgeon was noticed leaping from the water into the air.
     White-tailed deer, gray squirrels, red-shouldered hawks, pileated woodpeckers and barred owls are some of the animals that may be seen around the park. An overlook at the park allows visitors to view the spring in its entirety and provides a spectacular view of the boil.
     Visitors can enter the park by boat from the Suwannee River or by vehicle from U.S. 19.