BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – Pollinators are struggling, but they play a huge role in our everyday lives. Bees, butterflies, and other tiny pollinators help produce about one-third of the food we eat and keep over 80% of flowering plants thriving. They’re essential not just for nature, but for people too! That’s why National Pollinator Week, happening June 16–22, is all about celebrating them and raising awareness to protect these hardworking creatures.
Want to learn how you can support pollinators through thoughtful gardening practices in your own backyard? Attend the Pollinator Power: Gardening in Containers and Beyond workshop led by the University of Illinois Extension McLean County Master Gardeners on Wednesday, June 18 to explore container gardening techniques specifically for pollinators, highlight the diverse types of pollinators you can support, and introduce the “Pollinator Pocket” concept. Learn about the development and growth of the Pollinator Gardens at the Extension office and see real-life examples in the gardens that combine native and other beneficial plants.
Participants will also get crafty making simple DIY projects to add to your backyard pollinator-friendly habitat.
Make a seed ball with native seeds to take home and create a simple butterfly puddler to provide essential water sources for pollinators.
Whether you're gardening on a patio or in a backyard, you'll be inspired and equipped to make your garden a pollinator haven! The workshop is Wednesday, June 18, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the McLean County Extension office, located at 1615 Commerce Parkway, Bloomington. The fee for this workshop is $5. Register at go.illinois.edu/LMW/events or call the McLean County Extension office at (309) 663-8306.
Planting a diverse garden of nectar-rich flowers will support pollinators in all seasons—including both annual and perennial flowers that bloom throughout spring and fall. Learn how you can support local biodiversity and pollinators by incorporating pollinator plants in your containers and beyond!
University of Illinois Extension develops educational programs, extends knowledge, and builds partnerships to support people, communities, and their environments as part of the state's land-grant institution. Extension serves as the leading public outreach effort for University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences in all 102 Illinois counties through a network of 27 multi-county units and over 700 staff statewide. Extension’s mission is responsive to eight strategic priorities — community, economy, environment, food and agriculture, health, partnerships, technology and discovery, and workforce excellence — that are served through six program areas — 4-H youth development, agriculture and agribusiness, community and economic development, family and consumer science, integrated health disparities, and natural resources, environment, and energy.