ATHOL — In an effort to promote awareness of native plants, the Athol Bird and Nature Club [ABNC] has installed artwork identifying native plants to enhance the existing Join Up Trail at the New England Equestrian Center of Athol (NEECA).

“Lifelong naturalists” Linda and Ernie LeBlanc will lead a public tour of the Native Plant Trail on Sunday, Aug. 11, at 1:30 p.m., beginning in the equestrian center’s Spectator Parking Lot. Linda recommends bringing walking shoes and bug spray. The walk is part of the ABNC’s Summer Sundays programs.

“People who enjoy natural history and being out in nature can enjoy the park with these signs that are being put on the native plant trail,” Linda explained. “These are all… plants and trees that grow in the North Quabbin area.”

Artist and graphic novelist Krissy Dorn designed the signs using pictures of local plants taken by Linda. In an effort to make them visible to those riding by on horseback, the large signs feature bold and colorful illustrations, along with the name of the plant in large text.

“I … have a deep, abiding interest in the environment and the food chain and how wildflowers fit in with that,” Dorn said. “Bees and insects need wildflowers to prosper. I think people knowing what they are, so they can take care of them and encourage their growth, is important.”

Linda echoed this sentiment.

“I’ve always considered native plants important,” she explained. “One thing that’s extremely important about native plants is that they support the native insects and wildlife that belong here in the North Quabbin. Our insects and our wildlife have evolved over time to use and depend upon these native plants, and so that’s a relationship that’s long-standing, and if it’s broken, if our native plants are not here, that directly affects the insects, the pollinators, for example.”

The project was funded by the Athol Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council.

Linda added that she is looking forward to the community aspect of the event.

“In this area, you can’t throw a rock without hitting a really good naturalist. Hopefully there will be some people that show up there that will add to the talk,” Linda said. “It’s a great communal thing, to have people get together that have an interest. And it will expose a new place that they can go to, because Athol’s very rich in natural areas, conservation areas, so this is just another one that people might not be aware of.”