For many years, Linda Bennett served on the Board of Directors of the Wild Ones St. Louis Chapter. After she and her husband moved to Iron County in 2018, she organized the first meeting of the Southeast Missouri Chapter of the national Wild Ones organization. Serving as the first President of the Chapter, Linda established monthly meetings from spring into late fall in members’ homes, farms, and various public locations, generating widespread interest in native-plant gardening. Bennett used her long experience and knowledge to educate others, to facilitate seed exchanges, and to promote home and community-based gardens with native plans.
In 2024 she was part of a joint proposal by East Ozark Audubon Society (EOAS) and the Wild Ones Southeast Missouri chapter (Wild Ones SEMO) to develop a native plant meadow adjacent to the Winston Butterfly Garden in Engler Park in Farmington. The proposal was approved by the Farmington Parks and Recreation Department in July 2024, and in November 2024, a Missouri Bird Conservation Initiative (MOBCI) Community Conservation and Engagement Grant for $2,883 was awarded to EOAS for the July 1, 2025-June 30, 2026 work period. The grant will fund the cost of educational signage for the project, which will encourage visitors in their own use of native wildflowers in their gardening endeavors.
The EOAS Board named the new meadow project at the Crouch Sanctuary to honor two people who are intimately tied to the project—Linda Bennett and Ann Blanchfield.
Ann is well-known to members of East Ozarks Audubon Society. Shortly after the Winston Butterfly Garden was constructed, Ann took over its management. She has devoted numerous hours to planting, mulching and weeding, often recruiting others to assist and learn as they help her out. Ann has made the Winston Garden a marvelous example of how beautiful a garden using native plants can be. She has promoted and assisted in special events held at the Sanctuary, including introductory birding classes for school children, Earth Day activities, garden tours for the general public and the two highly successful Plein Air art events.
It was in deep appreciation for the work done by Linda and Ann and the inspiration that these two have given to others that the new meadow now under construction in Engler Park will henceforth, be known as the Bennett-Blanchfield Meadow.
