By Scout Nelson
Pollinator Week is being celebrated across the country, and the University of Minnesota Landscape Arboretum is leading the way with year-round activities at the Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center. The Arboretum highlights the importance of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and other insects in our environment and food systems.
Minnesota is home to thousands of insect pollinators, including over 500 native bee species. These pollinators help more than 85% of flowering plants and over two-thirds of crop species reproduce. However, pollinators face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and diseases.
The Tashjian Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center offers interactive exhibits, educational programs, and a working bee apiary. Visitors can explore the Campbell Exhibit Hall, McVay Learning Lab, Honey House, and pollinator gardens.
Throughout the summer, the Arboretum hosts hands-on classes and events. These include beekeeping demonstrations, hive inspections for kids and adults, honey tasting sessions, and a special Honey Harvest Day on August 2. Families can also enjoy the Farm Crawl: Pollinator Quest scavenger hunt.
Educational gardens like the Bee Lawn Demonstration, Foodscape Meadow, and the Johanna Frerichs Garden for Wildlife show how pollinator-friendly spaces can be created at home. Native plant areas like Spring Peeper Meadow and Bennett-Johnson Prairie offer habitats for both generalist and specialist pollinators.
The Plant Conservation Program at the Arboretum protects rare and endangered plants, ensuring that pollinators depending on specific plants can thrive. These efforts help sustain entire ecosystems.
To learn more or get involved, visitors are encouraged to explore the Arboretum’s pollinator resources and join summer workshops at the Bee Center. Supporting pollinators helps protect the natural world and ensures a healthy food system for the future.
Photo Credit: pexels-pixabay
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