Cypress Landing RV Park on Gantt Lake has recently been recognized as a certified butterfly sanctuary by the North American Butterfly Association (NABA). This certification marks a significant milestone for the campground, which has long been dedicated to environmental stewardship and conservation.

Cypress Landing is also now a certified stop on the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. This prestigious designation places the campground among an elite group of locations dedicated to fostering habitats that support the life cycle of butterflies and other pollinators.  The sanctuary boasts three distinct butterfly garden areas throughout the 34-acre community, each thoughtfully designed with pollinators in mind. These gardens provide a rich habitat filled with nectar-producing plants, offering an ideal environment for butterflies to thrive.

The gardens are a testament to Cypress Landing’s commitment to biodiversity and its role in the larger ecosystem.  Visitors to Cypress Landing can enjoy the beauty of the gardens while learning about the importance of pollinators in our environment. The sanctuary serves as an educational resource, raising awareness about the critical role that butterflies and other pollinators play in maintaining the health of our ecosystems. The Covington County Extension Office believes this to be the first certified butterfly sanctuary in the area. 

Moreover, the efforts to create a thriving butterfly habitat have had a positive ripple effect on the campground’s new community garden. The flourishing garden, supported by the presence of pollinators, is producing an abundance of vegetables.

Cypress Landing is proud to provide these fresh, free vegetables to the residents of the campground, fostering a sense of community and self-sufficiency. 

“We are thrilled to receive this certification from NABA and to be a part of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail,” said owner Brody Brown. “Our goal is to create a community where both people and wildlife can flourish. This sanctuary was created through hard work and love of nature by the Cypress Garden Club led by Will and Carol Asken.” 

The certification from NABA and inclusion in the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail are not only a win for Cypress Landing but also for the local community and the broader efforts to protect pollinators. With the increasing threats to butterfly populations worldwide, initiatives like these play a crucial role in conservation efforts.

IF YOU WANT TO GO: Cypress Landing invites residents and visitors alike to explore the sanctuary, experience the vibrant butterfly populations, and participate in the ongoing efforts to preserve these vital creatures. The RV Park is located off Hwy. 29 North just past the Gantt Lake Public Boat Access. The official address 32249 Riverland Drive, Dozier. 

Members of the general public who wish to visit the gardens should stop at Cypress Landing's General Store, open from 9-5 daily. Someone in the store will provide a flyer and direct visitors to the garden areas. 

Gov. Kay Ivey on Wednesday encouraged children to set goals, work hard, and participate in her Summer Reading Challenge while visiting the summer program at the Coleman-Robertson Center in Andalusia on Wednesday.

The program, started in about 1973 by Coach Richard Robertson, provides meals and organized activities during the summer months. Current program director Rose White-Parker invited Gov. Ivey to speak as part of her Community Connections program, which invites members of the community from all walks of life to share career stories and ideas with students.

Gov. Ivey told the students that she once was also a small-town girl who “sat at a small desk with big dreams.”

She said as a youngster, she had decided to work one summer on her father’s cattle farm. When she became frustrated with the challenges of the work and was considering quitting, her father gave her some advice.

“He said, ‘Kay, anything worth doing is worth doing well,’ ” she recalled. “I marched back to the barn and got to work.”

She also encouraged children to set goals.

Growing up, she said, she had a horse named Lightning.

“He was fast, too,” she said.

She later got a dog, whom she named Thunder.

“I trained Thunder to ride Lightning,” she said. “If you set goals – even unusual ones involving a dog and a horse, you can accomplish great things.”

Governor Ivey said, “Strong students will lead to a stronger Alabama.”

She also encouraged them to complete her Summer Reading Challenge, which challenges students to read a book and write a letter to Governor Ivey about their book.

“I’ll be checking the mailbox, and I look forward to hearing from you.”

All letters to Governor Ivey should be addressed and mailed to:

Governor Kay Ivey

Attn: Governor Ivey’s Summer Reading Challenge

600 Dexter Avenue

Montgomery, AL 36130

Parents and educators also are encouraged to show Gov. Ivey what students are reading by using the hashtag #GKIsSummerReadingChallenge.

The Cotton Street Gallery in Andalusia is partnering with Alabama’s Poarch Band of Creek Indians for an exhibition celebrating the tribe’s rich history of handcrafted regalia and traditional art. Items on display will include powwow regalia, princess regalia, basketry, quilts, reproduction pottery, and copper medallions, as well as arrowheads on loan from the Covington County Historical Museum. Tribal artisans will give cultural presentations at the gallery throughout the exhibition.

“We are proud to work with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians to bring to Covington County creative regalia and artworks that are made by Poarch Creek Indian Tribal members,” said Sue Wiggins, founder of AIR Artists, Inc., which is sponsoring the exhibition.

The exhibition will be open to the public Tuesday, August 27, through Saturday, August 31, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout the months of September and October. Donations are welcome and will go to support AIR Artists, Inc.

The Emmy Award–winning documentary The Forgotten Creeks, which tells the story of Alabama’s Creek Indians from their first contact with the Spanish in the 1500s to modern day, will run continuously at the gallery during the exhibition.

The Cotton Street Gallery, located at 104 North Cotton Street in Andalusia, celebrates Southern textile art and artists and offers textile-related classes and demonstrations for adults and children throughout the year. Proceeds from the gallery benefit AIR Andalusia.

To learn more about the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, visit https://pci-nsn.gov/. To learn more about Cotton Street Gallery, visit https://cottonstreetgallery.com/. To learn more about AIR Artists, Inc./AIR Andalusia, visit https://airartists.org/.

Alabamians are taking advantage of the savings associated with the state’s back-to-school sales tax holiday.

Alabama’s 19^th annual back-to-school sales tax holiday is July 19-21. This marks the eighth time the annual tax holiday will take place during the third weekend of July.

From 12:01 a.m. Friday, July 19, until midnight, Sunday, July 21, the state waives its 4 percent sales tax on school-related supplies and clothing. More than 300 cities and counties throughout Alabama also waive their local taxes. In some areas, including Covington County, the savings reach 10 percent.

Exempt items include:

• Clothing priced at $100 or less per article;

• School supplies valued at $50 or less per item;

• Books that cost $30 or less per book; and

• Tablets, laptops, computers and printers with a selling price of $750 or less.

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