Our Master Gardener Coordinator forwarded a link to the Pollinator Party 2022.  My daughter and I watched the classes with each being a little over one hour a day for 5 days. It is on YouTube now.

These programs were presented by several power companies in the country. They told how they are planting pollinator plants on land where they have power poles. This keeps the area green and acts like a pollinator garden for the different pollinators in their area.

There were many speakers, different for each day. On the first day, the keynote speaker was Lucas Garibaldi, Ph.D. from the Universidad Nacional De Río Negro in Argentina his research focuses on nature's contribution to people. I must admit the material presented was more technology above what I could grasp, but interesting, nonetheless.

Day 2 was Feather Smith from the Cherokee Nation Seed Bank, she mentioned how this seed bank helps the Cherokee Nation. Also, Tora Rocha is an expert in the design and gardening of pollinators.

Day 3 was Bee My Honey presented by Amina Harris, Ph.D. and Elina Lastro Niño, Ph.D. we learned there are ninety-nine words to describe honey, not just as sweet. The taste of the honey depends on what flowers the honeybee pollinated. Both presenters are from UC Davis, which is our own backyard.

Day 4 was one of my favorite days. Lovely Lepidoptera, Butterflies and

Moths speakers were Kevin Burls, a Ph.D. biologist with the Xerces Society

Junaid Khan A research Ecologist and Coordinator with Pollinator Partnerships, Chip Taylor Ph.D., Professor Emeritus from the University of Kansas talked about the many thousands of butterflies and moths in the world. And that so many in the world have yet to be identified by scientists. 

Day 5 was Pollinator Myth Busters, by Kristen Lear Ph.D., Bat Conservation International, Mace Vaughn, co-Director of Pollinator Conservation, Vicki Wojcik, Ph.D. from Canada.  She spoke on emerging pollinator issues. Some of the myths were remarkably interesting-such as, “ Do Butterflies have tongues?” and “Do bats only fly at night?” If you watch this program, you will learn the answer to these and other myths.

The one hour a day for 5 days was very worth it we thought. So, if you would like to know and learn more about any of these topics. As gardeners we all want more pollinators to visit our gardens. 

So go to YouTube under Pollinator Party 2022 and take a look.