HHMI Tangled Bank Studios and PBS Nature are launching #PlantWildflowers, a nationwide education initiative to highlight pollinator diversity and spark local efforts to support wild pollinators. In association with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Air Wick® Scented Oils, the initiative aims to get people all over the country to plant their own one square foot of native wildflowers.
Bees and other insects pollinate a wide variety of fruits, nuts, vegetables, animal forages, fiber crops and native plants. The health and numbers of native insect pollinators (wild bees, flies, wasps, moths, butterflies, and other pollinating insects) have declined due to a number of factors, including exposure to pathogens, parasites and pesticides, as well as habitat fragmentation and disappearance of floral resources. Each of us can do something to help pollinators. Simple acts, such as planting more pollinator-attractive flowers, leaving ornamental grasses uncut in the fall to provide overwinter habitat, or using pesticides only when necessary, can make a big impact.
Pollinator Events:
April 24, 2022 – STEM@ My Library: Citizen Science Day
Grand Forks Public Library, the Dakota Science Center, and the UND Atmospheric Sciences Department will host an Earth Day Citizen Science event at the library. Learn about Citizen Science opportunities and enjoy pollinator activities.
May 1-7, 2022 – National Wildflower Week
Visit the library to pick up seed packets (while supplies last) and learn about pollinators. The Dakota Science Center will have a wildflower/native grasses/pollinator display at the library. The Dakota Science Center website has 1) a listing of which plants attract native butterflies for the Red River Valley [Parents Resources Butterflies tab], 2) the World Wildlife Fund Grasslands and Pollinators activity book [Parents Resources tab] and 3) the University of MN Extension Bee Lawn information [Citizen Science tab].
May 22, 2022 2-3 pm - The grand opening of the MN DNR Red River Recreation Area Sherlock Park campground pollinator garden will be hosted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at the Red River Recreation Area. To celebrate World Bee Day pollinator seed packets will be available to event participants.
June 12, 2022 2-3 pm
Place: Pollinator Gardens at Augustana Lutheran Church Pollinator Garden, 520 University Avenue & Near North Neighborhood Garden 7th Avenue N & N 3rd Street
Families are invited to come, learn about these gardens. Enjoy refreshments, plant flower seeds, and make insect gliders at Augustana Lutheran Church. Pollinator seed packets available to event participants.
July 16-17, 2022 - The Grand Forks Horticulture Society will offer the pollinator seed packets to participants of the annual garden tour
Sept 18, 2022 8am-1pm – Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz event hosted by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at the Red River Recreation Area (515 2nd St NW, EGF, MN) A BioBlitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period of time. Scientists, naturalists, and community members join together to explore the natural world. Led by Catherine Johnson the MN DNR Park Ranger at the Red River Recreation Area participants of all ages will learn techniques for observing and collecting plant and animal data within a designated area and time frame. Participants can use paper data collection sheets and/or the Seek app to collect data.
My Garden of a Thousand Bees follows acclaimed wildlife filmmaker Martin Dohrn, who, locked down by coronavirus, turns his lenses on the surprising and spectacular bees living in his own urban garden in Bristol, England. Watch My Garden of a Thousand Bees online at
http://mygardenofathousandbees.com/videos.