This week’s photograph depicts three native species of wildlife that Rossford resident Bill Heban discovered a few years ago at W.W. Knight Nature Preserve on East River Road.

It highlights a Great Spangled Fritillary butterfly, a smaller Pearl Crescent butterfly in the background, and a native wildflower, the wild Bergamot.

Mr. Heban noted that city, county and state parks across the country provide these “islands” of natural areas that serve to enhance human activities and support the needs of native wildlife.

“Protecting them from further development intrusions is critical not only to native wildlife, but also to our own well-being,” he said.

“Furthermore, homeowners are becoming more interested in creating their own islands to enjoy, something that is becoming increasingly popular.”

Numerous local and on-line resources can assist those efforts.

Mr. Heban recommended the following websites: raingardeninitiative.org, wildones oakopenings.org and nativegardendesigns. wildones.org.

A Rossford native, Mr. Heban describes himself as a wildlife lover and “advanced amateur” photographer specializing in native fauna and flora of the Midwest.

Again this year, he is sharing a series of his photos with Record readers.