Hosted by UMN Extension

This three-part webinar series on creating your own pollinator habitat will cover how to create a pollinator-friendly garden, bee lawn and prairie planting.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 31: CREATING A POLLINATOR-FRIENDLY GARDEN

With Julie Weisenhorn, UMN Extension Horticulture Educator

Pollinators are responsible for the diversity of plant life and our food, and gardeners of all levels can adopt practices that help pollinators thrive. However, engaging with these important creatures through creating beneficial landscapes also helps to strengthen our sense of connection with nature (biophilia) and our understanding of the natural world while positively affecting these important insects. Join University of Minnesota Extension horticulture educator, Julie Weisenhorn, as she tells the story of pollinators from a landscape and plant selection standpoint and presents some practical options to help us make this world a better place for these valuable insects in our own gardens.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 1: HOW TO CREATE A BEE LAWN

With James Wolfin, Conservation Specialist with Twin City Seed Company

Bee lawns aim to integrate low-growing flowers into low-input turfgrass lawns to provide food for pollinators. They also help to conserve natural resources, as they require significantly less water, fertilizer, and mowing as compared to a traditional lawn. This presentation will examine the role of lawns in our culture, how lawns can be modified to protect pollinators and conserve natural resources, and the steps residents can take to easily install a bee lawn themselves.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 2: TOOLS AND RESOURCES FOR STARTING A POCKET PRAIRIE

With Sam Talbot, UMN Extension Extension educator, Dakota County

Native plants provide a wide range of benefits and can easily be incorporated into your backyard garden. Sam will draw from his experience restoring habitat in Dakota County Parks to discuss the benefits and challenges associated with planting natives in the landscape. He’ll highlight some of the tools and resources available, as well as opportunities to gain hands-on experience through volunteer opportunities in Dakota County. Topics will include propagation methods, planning native plantings, and species considerations.

Cost is FREE. Register here: https://umn.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sYBn3XRFTDq2eYbiAHmRgQ