PollinateNorcross

Ooooohhhh - THIS looks interesting! It’s free and via Zoom…maybe we’ll “see you” there? ✅😎

Explorations of Native Plants of the Piedmont: Doctors by Nature

Join us for a fascinating webinar with Dr. Jaap de Roode, professor of biology at Emory University, as he shares his research on how animals discover and use medicine in nature—especially plants!

Dr. De Roode’s book, Doctors By Nature, highlights the remarkable relationship between monarch butterflies and milkweeds, along with many other examples of animals harnessing nature’s pharmacy long before modern medicine. His work focuses on monarch butterfly health, but he also teaches biology, trains graduate students in infectious disease biology, and serves on the Board of Directors of the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail, which promotes pollinator habitat nationwide.

📅 Wednesday, October 29
🕖 7:00 – 8:00 PM
💻 Virtual via Zoom
💲 Free Event
🔗 Register now to join us!
https://zoom.us/meeting/register/Sf2dvAOGQv6fJLY2oaReIQ #/registration

Who's that bee in YOUR backyard? Getting to know these fascinating (and cute!) lil ladies is fun - check out this video to get some tips! 💚

Xerces Classroom: North American Bee Diversity and Identification Join Matthew Shepherd, biologist and Director of Communications and Outreach for the Xerces Society, as he explores the world of bees. Learn about the divers...

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𝗔𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗧: 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗽 𝗰𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗻 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀! 🐝

𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐂𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐒:
- 80% of native bees nest in dead plant stems
- One stem can house up to 20 pollinator larvae
- Early cleanup destroys 6 months of bee development
- Native bees are worth $2000 per yard in pollination

𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭'𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 "𝐌𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐲" 𝐘𝐚𝐫𝐝:

1. Hidden Residents:
- Mason bee cocoons
- Leafcutter bee nests
- Native wasp larvae
- Beneficial predator eggs

2. Critical Areas to Protect:
🌿 Hollow plant stems
🍂 Leaf litter piles
🌱 Standing perennials
🌸 Seed heads

3. How to Help:
- Wait until May to clean up
- Leave 15" stem heights
- Create brush piles
- Mark pollinator areas

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐀𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐏𝐋𝐀𝐍:
✅ Stop all cleanup until 50°F consistent temps
✅ Bundle and store cut stems
✅ Create "pollinator corners"
✅ Educate your neighbors

𝐑𝐄𝐌𝐄𝐌𝐁𝐄𝐑:
𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐲 𝐲𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦!

Good advice for itching gardeners! 💚

Have you got the spring cleaning itch already? Before you start tidying up, here are some good gardening tips: Remember that many beneficial insects and pollinators find refuge in garden debris and stems. So, save the stems!

If you decide to cut back, leave stems 12–18 inches long! This will:
- provide habitat for stem-nesting bees,
- protect fresh leaves from hungry deers,
- support plant stability and prevent flowers flopping in your garden.

Something to keep in mind especially when it’s so 🥶 Since you understand, maybe help others consider this perspective too? 💚