Did you know that one out of every three bites of food we eat exists because of pollinators like bees, butterflies, birds, and bats? Staff at University of Illinois Extension is aware of this fact, and wanted to share this, and other facts, with local youth. On July 28th, the 4-H and Master Gardener/ Master Naturalist staff held a pollinator experience called Pollinator Celebration at Hall High School. The goal for this program was to teach youth the importance of pollinators in our environment and their importance in our world.
The program began with exploring the pollinator gardens at Hall High School and observing native flowers through identification markers, observation forms, and sketches. The garden was in bloom with Black-Eyed Susan’s, Coneflowers, Rattlesnake Masters, Milkweed varieties, and many others for the youth to observe. After getting a sense of the type of flowers in the garden, participants learned about flower traits and which pollinators prefer them, and why. For instance, bats prefer fragrant, white flowers that open at night, while flies prefer flowers with unpleasant odors. Once the types of pollinators and flower traits were discussed, participants made their own tissue paper flowers and matched their flowers with pollinators that would be attracted to each. They also got to observe different flower species, pollinator parts, and pollen under microscopes.
After learning about the topic, participants made their own pocket greenhouses with baggies and cotton balls to grow their own plants. They also made seeds bombs, which was a messy, fun project. The seed bombs were taken home to dry and “throw” into areas void of plant life. The group discussed places like ditches, empty areas in their backyards, or empty gardens to place the seed bombs and watch them grow. Participants left the program with extra seeds, a Pollinator Ag Mag, information on Pollinator Pathways (a pollinator tracking program), and extra observation sheets. The message was clear: what they learned during the pollinator celebration was meant to be continued and shared!
With the Monarch butterfly recently being added to the endangered species list, and the importance of pollinators to our food access, University of Illinois 4-H and Master Gardener/ Master Naturalist programs are dedicated to providing youth and adults with more opportunities to learn about pollinators and native plants. The Pollinator Celebration is just one of many planned throughout the year.
The Mission of University of Illinois Extension is to provide practical education you can trust to help people, businesses and communities solve problems, develop skills and build a better future. University of Illinois Extension provides equal opportunities in programs and employment.
If you have questions or need more information, please call University of Illinois Extension- Bureau, LaSalle, Marshall, Putnam Unit Office at 815-224-0889. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please indicate when registering or contact the Extension office. Extension offices are located in Princeton, Ottawa, Henry and in Oglesby on the IVCC campus.