Library generating buzz about native bees

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BROOKINGS – The Brookings Public Library will host a series of free events for all ages in May and June to educate attendees about the beauty and biodiversity of native bees and how to support these important local pollinators. 

These events are made possible to the #PlantWildflowers grant the library received.

Bees and other pollinators play a crucial role in nature, pollinating fruits, vegetables, grains and flowers that are essential to both human agriculture and wild ecosystems. But these important pollinators are facing challenges from habitat and food supply decline, pesticides and more. 

The library will support pollinators by offering events and will also have free wildflower seed packets available for pickup at one of these events or at the circulation desk.

At 6:30 p.m. Thursday, the library will host a #PlantWildflowers Garden Kick-Off on the library’s east lawn. The library added two raised garden beds on the east side of the building to showcase native wildflowers and encourage pollinators. Brookings Area Master Gardener Elaine Fritz will talk about what the library planted and what native wildflowers are good for both beginning and experienced gardeners. Attendees may bring a chair.

The library will offer a Pollinator Make & Take Workshop at 6:30 p.m. June 9 on the library’s south lawn. Attendees can make wildflower seed bombs and bee nests for small carpenter bees, mason bees, and leaf-cutting bees to overwinter in. This is an all-ages event.

The library will screen the documentary “My Garden of a Thousand Bees” with a Q&A session afterward at 6 p.m. Thursday in the library’s Cooper Room. Martin Dohrn, veteran wildlife cameraman and bee enthusiast, embarked on a challenge during the COVID-19 lockdown of 2020 to film all the bees he could find in his tiny urban garden in Bristol, England. By the end of the summer, he became bee-obsessed and developed relationships with them. Amanda Bachmann from SDSU Extension will join in for a Q&A about bees via Zoom at 7 p.m.

At the Dakota Nature Park at 6 p.m. June 30, the library will lead a BioBlitz Challenge. A BioBlitz is a communal effort to record as many species as possible within a designated time period. It’s a fun way to get outside and explore nature. At this event, participants will learn how to use the iNaturalist app to collect and record information about local plants and wildlife at the Dakota Nature Park and then give it a try. Participants are encouraged to bring a phone or device to capture their observations, and a couple extra will be on hand for those who do not have one. 

These events are sponsored by a grant provided by HHMI Tangled Bank Studios, PBS Nature, and the #PlantWildflowers Initiative.

To find out more about the nationwide #PlantWildflowers campaign and additional upcoming pollinator-focused events, visit www.mygardenofathousandbees.com/events.

For a list of all of these events and more information, visit bit.ly/bplwildflowers, the library’s website calendar, or the library’s Facebook page (@bkglib). 

The mission of Brookings Public Library is to provide materials and information contributing to the education, recreation and quality of life for the Brookings community.