More than 150 butterflies took flight Thursday morning as city leaders, volunteers and community members celebrated the official opening of the Leesburg Public Library’s new pollinator garden.

The butterfly release marked the completion of the garden’s first phase, transforming an underused area behind the library into a habitat designed to support butterflies, bees, hummingbirds and other pollinators while providing an outdoor educational space for the community.

The project was spearheaded by the Leesburg in Bloom Board and brought to life through a partnership involving the City of Leesburg, the Leesburg Public Library, volunteers and local organizations.

“What started as a simple conversation of, ‘Let’s turn this back into what it was originally designed for,’ has grown into something truly special,” Leesburg in Bloom shared on social media.

The first-year garden features more than 70 species of plants, including Florida native species and pollinator-friendly varieties selected to provide nectar, habitat and host plants for wildlife. Among them are milkweeds, passionflowers, asters, blazing stars, salvias, buttonbush, coral bean and goldenrods.

Project organizers say the garden is expected to continue growing over the next several years as plants mature and attract additional butterflies, native bees and other beneficial insects.

“Our hope is that this becomes more than just a garden,” the organization wrote. “We hope it becomes an educational tool for our community, inspiring children and adults alike to learn about pollinators, Florida native plants, conservation, and the important role each of us can play in supporting wildlife.”

In addition to the pollinator garden, four honey bee hives have been installed on the library’s roof. While the hives are not yet occupied, local beekeepers Bee Fussy Apiary LLC and Mitchem Bee Company will soon introduce bees and maintain the hives.

Leesburg Commissioner Alan Reisman thanked the many organizations, city staff and volunteers who helped make the project possible.

“I encourage families and kids to come down and spend some time in the garden,” he says. “Find a bench, sit quietly, and just watch. It’s amazing what happens when you slow down and take it all in. The butterflies, bees, dragonflies, and other pollinators begin to appear, and the garden truly comes alive with life. We hope this space becomes a place of learning, discovery and appreciation for nature for generations to come.”

Organizers say this is only the first year of the project and look forward to watching the garden evolve into a thriving habitat that supports local pollinators while connecting the community with nature.

Photos provided by Alan Reisman