Creating Pollinator Habitat in Our Gardens: November Program

Our local pollinators are under stress from habitat loss, pesticides, and the spread of new diseases.  What can we, as gardeners, to do help the bees and pollinators in our environment?

On November 5, at Cottage Grove Garden Club, we will learn how we can create pollinator habitats in our gardens. Together we will watch Never Doubt How a Small, Thoughtful, and Committed Pollinator Habitat Can Change the World which is part of the Oregon Master Gardener Advanced Training series.

This webinar will explore how the damaging effects of habitat loss and fragmentation, pesticide exposure, and diseases can be reversed through the retention or restoration of small bits of natural habitat (our gardens!). We will learn how to create pollinator habitat -- what plants do we need? How do we get things established? Do we need to prepare a place for pollinators to nest? And what about host plants for butterflies? After working through some of the more common challenges with building pollinator habitat, the webinar will conclude by returning to what current science has to say about how our modest activities might link up and contribute to overall urban pollinator health.

This online course is taught by Dr. Andony Melathopoulos, an Assistant Professor who is leading OSU’s efforts to design, implement and evaluate a state-wide pollinator health program. He provides training to pesticide applicators on how to reduce pesticide exposure to pollinating insects, he hosts a weekly podcast on pollinator health (PolliNation) and is currently working to help homeowners and landscapers better understand how to manage pests while minimizing impacts to pollinators.

The Cottage Grove Garden Club is a local organization with the mission of expanding our interests and building lifelong friendships while bettering our community and the environment through sustainable gardening practices.

Creating Pollinator Habitat in Our Gardens will happen on Tuesday, November 5, at Cottage Grove Garden Club. We meet at the First Presbyterian Church, 216 South 3rd Street (enter off the garden on 3rd Street). The Garden Club’s informal business meeting begins at 6PM and the webinar begins at 7PM. Guests and visitors welcome.