A swallowtail butterfly sips nectar from a flower in Genoa.
June is National Pollinator Month, which shines a light on the critical role that bats, bees, beetles, birds, butterflies, and moths play in the reproduction of flowering plants. Robust pollinator populations help sustain ecosystems and contribute to the growth of crops, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that feed and sustain us all.
In recognition and celebration of National Pollinator Month, the University of Nevada, Reno-Douglas Extension (extension.unr.edu/douglas.aspx) has a number of free events planned in the Carson Valley and Carson City during Pollinator Week, June 17-23.
A screening of the NOVA film, “Butterfly Blueprints,” takes place 5-7 p.m. June 17 at Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Lane in Gardnerville. The film highlights butterfly behavior, adaptability, and migration, and offers insights on things that can be done to support butterfly populations and help ensure their survival.
The 2024 Carson City Community Garden Educational Series kicks off 5:30-6:30 p.m. June 18 with a presentation by Master Gardeners Judy Jones and Kelly Nicholas. The series is held the third Tuesday of each month through October; bring a chair and a friend. The garden is located at 1044 Beverly Drive in Carson City.
Next up is a Pollinator Habit and Plant Walk on the trails behind the Greenhouse Project Foothill Garden. This event takes place at 1535 Medical Parkway in Carson City 5:30-6:30 p.m. June 20 and is led by UNR Extension Master gardeners from Carson City. Walkers can also take home a free pollinator habitat kit.
In 2017, The Greenhouse Project (carsoncitygreenhouse.org/) and Carson Tahoe Health partnered to establish the Foothill Garden. The gardens are managed by TGP and maintained by volunteers and students interested in learning more about sustainability, and they provide fresh produce year-round to Eagle Valley Children’s Home and the Carson City Meals on Wheels program.
Two events take place June 21, the first being a “BioBlitz” 10-11 a.m. at River Fork Ranch, 381 Genoa Lane. The community is invited to search for, photograph, and document as many invertebrates and pollinators as possible and submit that data online to help record species diversity in the area.
Also 3-4 p.m. June 21, the UNR Extension and Heritage Park Garden Committee invite the community to a rock painting event at HPG, 1461 Ezell Street in Gardnerville.
During the June 22 Farmer’s Market in Carson City, volunteers from Carson City’s Bee City USA committee and the Carson City Community Garden will be on hand to answer questions at a pollinator information booth from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Carson City became the 76th Bee City USA affiliate in 2018 and as such, is committed to supporting bees and other pollinators on both public and private land (beecityusa.org).
Ten-year old Anza Ackerman submitted the winning entry into the 2024 Douglas County Pollinator Week logo contest. Order forms for t-shirts and hoodies bearing the logo will be available starting next week at the UNR-Douglas Extension office and website.
For more information about these and other events in our area, visit the UNR Douglas Extension events web page at extension.unr.edu/events.aspx, or find them on Facebook.
