Mindy Dickman Helps Us Connect With the Natural World

Through her colorful, fascinating, and passion-infused book Life in the Everglades: A Young Naturalist’s Manual and Field Guide, our very own Mindy Dickman is not only bringing the ecosystems of South Florida to life through accessible science, vivid descriptions, and hands-on activities, but transforming that curiosity into real environmental understanding.

Recently, the educator, author, and environmental advocate kindly agreed to tease out three themes of the book for AQUA Miami readers.

Empowerment. “Young naturalists learn that they can make measurable, positive impacts simply by understanding and caring for the living things around them,” Dickman says. “One of the most effective steps residents can take—highlighted in the book’s plant profiles and habitat chapters—is to choose native plants for their yards, balconies, and community spaces. Native species strengthen wildlife corridors, reduce the need for pesticides and irrigation, and restore the ecological balance that South Florida’s landscapes depend upon.”

Small Changes Can Lead to Big Benefits. “A yard planted with native species becomes a stepping-stone habitat for migratory birds, a refuge for butterflies, and a living science classroom for children,” Dickman says. “Species such as coontie, wild coffee, saw palmetto, and muhly grass—not only featured but celebrated in the book—support everything from Atala butterflies to songbirds and small mammals.The Jamaican capertree (Capparis cynophallophora), a hardy native shrub or small tree that makes an excellent hedge because it naturally grows compact and dense without pruning, supports pollinators such as bees, moths, and butterflies and is the larval host plant to the Florida white butterfly. When neighborhoods adopt native landscaping, they reduce stormwater runoff, prevent the spread of invasive species, and recreate the resilient ecosystems that once stretched unbroken across South Florida.”

Nature is Our Home, Too. “Planting native is more than a gardening decision; it is an act of stewardship,” Dickman says. “It is a way for families to participate in Everglades conservation from their own homes and mirrors the values I hope to instill in young readers: curiosity, responsibility, and connection to place. That, to me, is how we will inspire communities to protect the ecosystems that make Florida unique—one child, one classroom, and one backyard at a time.”

For more information, visit www.mindydickman.com.