If you enjoyed an apple today, you have a pollinator to thank for your snack! In fact, if you ate a strawberry, a lemon, an avocado, or even a batch of French fries, you have a pollinator to thank. One-third of all of the food we consume requires pollinations to get to our table.
Pollinators are (usually) insects that are responsible for fertilizing flowers – resulting in a fruit and seed. They are critical, not just for food production, but for the propagation of native plants making them an integral part of the ecosystem.
Unfortunately, these beautiful and gentle insects are under threat! Many native species of pollinator, including ground-nesting bees, carpenter bees, bumble bees, and syrphid flies have seen critical declines in recent years. Scientists believe that this may be caused by increased pesticide use, loss of habitat, and disease.
Join us on Saturday, February 11th from 1 – 4 pm for Bee My Valentine: A Native Pollinator Celebration. Come to SHADOW Lake Nature Preserve to play pollinator games, learn about the importance of pollinators in our community, and discover what you can do to support pollinator recovery! This event is open to all ages but we ask that children under 15 bring a parent or guardian.
Want to learn more?
Happy DIY Home: How to Attract Ground Nesting Bees
Cornell University Department of Entomology: Ground nesting
Pollinator Partnership- Pacific Lowland: Selecting Plants for Pollinators
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