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CAPE GIRARDEAU, MO. – The Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center will host an event, The Buzz about Pollinators, Saturday, Aug. 27, from 9 a.m. to noon. Naturalist Michelle Randecker said this event will help people understand the vital role pollinators play in our food production and in nature.
“We’ll focus on native pollinators such as butterflies, flies, some beetles, bees and wasps and how they help us,” Randecker said. “We’ll also talk about what we can do to help them.”
Pollinators are in desperate need of help as native food sources have declined. Randecker said growing native plants, like wildflowers, and providing nest structures for solitary bees can go a long way towards helping native pollinators survive.
Several activities will keep guests busy at this event, including a pollinator zoo, crafts and activities that focus on understanding pollination and a 45-minute talk by local beekeeper Grant Gillard. Gillard keeps about 200 bee hives in Cape Girardeau and Scott counties. He collects local bee swarms and sells honey seasonally at local farmers’ markets.
“We’re grateful to host Grant as an expert on our native bees and their needs,” Randecker said. “We think his talk will be very beneficial in learning the in depth details on our valuable pollinators.”
Randecker said all ages and groups of people are welcome at this free event. More information about nature programs at the Cape Girardeau Conservation Nature Center can be found online at mdc.mo.gov/CapeNatureCenter.
