Carson City, Bee City USA celebrates 'Pollinator Month' in June with multiple events, activities
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 06/09/2021 - 10:51am
Bee City USA #76 and Carson City are celebrating June as Pollinator Month. Mayor Lori Bagwell announced a Pollinator Month proclamation, kicking off a month of fun and educational activities.
“The theme is "Bee Friendly Carson City, Protect Pollinators" and we are inviting businesses, agencies and individuals to join us as we celebrate pollinators and inspire others to build more pollinator habitat here in Carson City,”Bee City USA #76 Chair Kelly Clark said. “Many businesses are thinking of creative ways to celebrate bees, with honey-themed refreshments, information, retail displays that show off the birds, bees and butterflies that help pollinate our world.”
Do you know that one out of every three bites of food you eat was made possible by a pollinator? Many species of bees and butterflies are seriously threatened. Increased habitat provides forage for bees and butterflies and makes our community more beautiful.
To join, show off the Bee Friendly Carson City, Protect Pollinators poster with the QR code to the city's pollinator-friendly plant list! To join Pollinator Month activities, email Bee City USA #76 at beecityusa76@gmail.com.
A number of activities are planned for June:
Carson City Library Display on pollinators
— Carson City Cooperative Extension located at 2621 Northgate Lane, display of books on landscaping for pollinators throughout the month, available for use in the office only.
— June 9, 2021 5:15 p.m. Pollinator Plant Presentation and Tour at Greenhouse Garden Center in Carson City, located at 2450 S. Curry St. The informational presentation will begin at 5:15 p.m. and will be followed by a tour to show off the vast variety of beautiful pollinator plants available for your garden. Everyone is welcome and may bring a brown bag dinner if you wish.
— June 12, 2021 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Carson City Library Literacy Challenge, the new pollinator garden will be open to kick off the summer reading program. Come see the new garden and get ideas for planting your pollinator garden! Carson City’s Library is supporting pollinators with a whole garden of native plants.
— June 14, 2021 6 p.m., Carson City Community Garden talk, located on Beverly Street in Carson City. Presentation on vegetable gardening for pollinators with Dr. Lindsay Chichester. Contact Cooperative Extension at (775) 887-2252 to learn more.
— June 26, 2021: Carson City Farmer’s Market Cooperative Extension booth, Dr. Lindsay Chichester will be available to answer pollinator questions.
— June 26, 2021 10-12 Pollinator Parade, a costumed fun 1-mile walk for adults and children. Beginning at the Carson City Farmer's Market new location east of the Carson Nugget, gather at south end of the market. Wear your most fun pollinator or beekeeper costume, birds, bees, bugs, and hummingbirds welcome. No pets, please. No registration required.
Carson City Bee City USA #76 was first formed in 2018, under the guidance of the national Bee City organization sponsored by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Great Basin Beekeepers of Nevada is the nonprofit parent organization for Bee City No. 76. The original chair, Gillian Mellor, is an active supporter. The Bee City USA citizens committee was approved by the Carson City Board of Supervisors in October 2018.
The Bee City USA goal is to support and protect habitat for pollinators in Carson City and to educate the public about the value of pollinators, which are vital for the reproduction of over 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants, including more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. The United States alone grows more than 100 crops that either need or benefit from pollinators. Unfortunately, in many places, the essential service of pollination is at risk from habitat loss, pesticide use, and introduced diseases.
Bee City USA #76 volunteers include Kelly Clark, Linda Groves, Del and Myrna Barber, Gillian Mellor, Rex and Jackie Jennings and Carson City liaison Lyndsey Boyer. Contact Bee City USA #76 via email at beecityusa76@gmail.com or learn more at the Bee City USA #76 website.
Please celebrate June as Pollinator Month by visiting your favorite business or restaurant, enjoying a honey-themed refreshment, or landscaping your garden to benefit pollinators. The birds and bees will thank you!
