Students Plan Pollinator Education Week

Have you heard about the challenges facing pollinators worldwide? From collapsing honey bee colonies to disappearing monarch butterflies, pollinating insects are suffering from numerous threats including habitat loss, chemical exposure, disease, pests, pollution and climate change.

That’s why a group of NC State students are planning Pollinator Education Week to raise awareness on campus about pollinators and the importance of these bees, butterflies, moths and other insects.

“Human health is tied to pollinator health. About one-third of our food supply depends on insect pollinators. Without pollinators, our nutrition – and the agricultural economy – would decline,” said the week’s lead organizer Melissa Tinling, a graduate student studying horticulture.

Pollinator Education Week is April 3 – 7 and events are designed to educate about what pollinators are, why they are important and how individuals can help. Events include:

Pollinator Habitat Rebuilding

Saturday, April 1, 9 am – Noon, SOUL Garden on Centennial Campus
At this Service Raleigh event, volunteers will be cleaning and rebuilding the student-led SOUL Garden after Hurricane Matthew damage last year, as well as adding a pollinator habitat.

Wild Pollinator Safari

Tuesday, April 4, 4 pm, JC Raulston Arboretum
NC State students will help children identify bugs living in the Arboretum’s many outdoor gardens. To volunteer, contact Ryan Lumsden.

Pollinator Festival

Wednesday, April 5, 10 am – 4 pm, Brickyard
As part of NC State’s Earth Fair, several demos, exhibits and displays will educate about the importance of pollinators.

Bee Downtown Benefit

Thursday, April 6, 5 – 9 pm, Chipotle on Hillsborough Street
Chipotle will donate a portion of its evening revenues to Bee Downtown, a pollinator-focused nonprofit founded and operated by an NC State alumna.

Pollinator Education Week overlaps with NC State’s Earth Month, a month-long annual celebration of sustainability.