Carmen Flammini, an Alabama Cooperative Extension System home horticulture agent, was named one of eight Watershed Award recipients for 2025. The honorees are selected by Mobile Bay Magazine as a way to recognize environmental guardians of the area.
The magazine focused on Flammini studying Alabama native milkweed — a favorite food source and home for monarch butterflies during all stages of life. Flammini said she encourages Alabama residents to plant native species of milkweed to help butterflies and protect the environment.
“Studying the monarch’s population and behavior can indicate how well we are caring for our native ecosystem and whether we are providing adequate food supplies for the insects that depend on it,” Flammini told the magazine. “It’s important to maintain our monarch butterfly population. Declines can signal broader threats to pollinators and ecosystem health.”
For her study, Flammini is working alongside Auburn University entomologists Anthony Abbate and Selina Bruckner as well as Kyle Oswalt of the Auburn Ornamental Horticulture Research Station in Mobile and the Baldwin County Master Gardeners. Additional collaborators include Pelican’s Nest Science Lab, the Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Riviera Utilities in Foley, Graham Creek Nature Preserve and the Gulf Coast Eco Center.
Flammini said it is an honor to represent the work of so many.
“This recognition is shared with an incredible team and our dedicated partners. Being named one of the eight environmental guardians of the community by Mobile Bay Magazine gave me a profound sense of gratitude and responsibility,” Flammini said. “It reaffirmed my commitment to deepening our understanding of the natural ecosystems that define our region and to fostering collaboration across disciplines to protect and preserve them. Together, we are making a meaningful impact.”
Becky Barlow, Alabama Extension assistant director for agriculture, forestry and natural resources, commended Flammini’s dedication.
“I was thrilled to learn that Carmen was recognized as an environmental guardian for the Mobile Bay region,” Barlow said. “Carmen’s enthusiasm for this project has been evident since day one and she has worked tirelessly to make it a reality. I am so proud of the work that she and the team are doing. It is bringing awareness to this topic, and supporting an important natural system.”
Click here to learn more about Flammini’s work and the seven other Watershed Award recipients.
Read More related articles