About Me
Hello, my name is Kym Martin, and I’m a native of the Chattanooga area. My love for monarch butterflies and gardening started with my grandfather. During visits, he would proudly show me his latest plants and tell stories about the monarchs that visited his garden each year. I’ve carried on his legacy by nurturing native plants and butterflies, and when he passed, I named my greenhouse “Charlie” in his honor. Everything good that comes out of the greenhouse is thanks to him.
My Monarch Journey
For over seven years, I’ve been dedicated to monarch butterfly conservation through education, habitat restoration, community science, and migration tracking. My mission is rooted in conservation, education, and a deep passion for these magical little creatures called monarchs. I hope this website inspires you to learn more and take action. Your efforts truly make a difference.
Growing Through Education and Community
My educational journey led me to the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County. I became a Master Gardener in 2022 and have been deeply involved ever since. In 2023, I served on the Board of Directors as Secretary and was part of the Grow Team for the Master Gardener Intern Classes. I also sponsor and manage the Magical Monarchs booth at annual Master Gardener events.
Beyond the Master Gardeners, I actively participate in various conservation groups in the Chattanooga area. I currently serve as Secretary for the Tennessee Valley Chapter of the North American Butterfly Association and recently designed and launched their new website. I also earned my Pollinator Steward Certification from the Pollinator Partnership. I’m working toward my Certificate in Native Plants and enjoy learning more about the role native plants play in pollinator health. I also contribute to several community science projects focused on monarch health and conservation.
Magical Sprouts Nursery
Through my conservation work and community education efforts, I felt a growing desire to help others take action in their own backyards. That’s what inspired me to create Magical Sprouts Nursery, a small local business dedicated to helping others support monarchs and pollinators.
The nursery will offer locally grown native milkweeds and other pollinator-friendly plants to help people create Monarch Waystations and habitat gardens. Plants coming soon. In the meantime, I offer educational workshops and custom habitat design services. Whether you’re just getting started or expanding an existing garden, I’m here to help make supporting pollinators easy, accessible, and rewarding.
A Little More About Me
Life’s best moments are often spent in the backyard with my husband and our three dogs, watching butterflies flutter through the garden. I’m also a big Harry Potter fan, and we’re planning a trip to London to explore the magical sights. When I’m not working on habitat restoration, I design websites and work full-time as a Software Architect at The Company That Shall Not Be Named.