Bees and other pollinators will be highlighted during a series in April 2016 at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. (photo/Cindy Hadish)
Linn County Master Gardeners are continuing their theme of the “Year of the Pollinator” with three sessions this April in the Creative Gardening Series at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.
The year began with an event at Kirkwood Community College, featuring Chip Taylor, founder and director of Monarch Watch and professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Kansas.
Related: Iowa central to proposed “Monarch Highway”
Other master gardener classes continue in April at several libraries in the Linn County area. Find a list of those here.
Learn more about the Planting for Pollinators Creative Gardening Series, 2016:
Thursday, April 7, 2016
6:30 p.m. – Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, Whipple Auditorium
What’s the Buzz? Tell Me What’s Happening with Pollinators
Presented by Dr. Donald Lewis, ISU Extension & Outreach Entomologist
Declines in the number of domestic honey bees that began nearly a decade ago have led to increased interest in the “other” pollinators and what can be done by gardeners, landscapers and others to promote and enhance the pollinator community on which much of our varied food supply depends. What have you done for pollinators lately? What more could you do? What more should you do? These and other questions and issues will be explored by Dr. Lewis.
April 14, 2016
6:30 p.m. – Cedar Rapides Downtown Library, Whipple Auditorium
Messy Fields Make Good Neighbors
Presented by Rob Ewoldt, Iowa Producer, Rafter E Ranch, LLC
Hear about the dilemmas and delights of being a Scott County farmer while attempting to make a living for family, and treating the land as sustainably as possible. Rob will explain what practices he has adopted to improve his soil while providing competitive yields. Some of the practices he uses are no-till farming, proper timing and placement of nutrients for crop utilization, cover crops and grassed waterways. He will also describe how he evaluates new practices and will chronicle some successes and challenges along the way.
Thursday, April 21, 2016
6:30 p.m. – Cedar Rapids Downtown Library, Whipple Auditorium
The Monarch Research Project and Monarch Zones
Presented by Clark McLeod, Lead Director, Co-Founder, Monarch Research Project
Becki Lynch, Director of Habitat, Monarch Research Project
Linn County Master Gardener
What are Monarch Zones? What is the Monarch Research Project? By working together, how can we, as a community, bring back our Monarchs and their habitat quickly? Clark will give an overview of the research Campbell Watts and he have conducted thus far, and how it has led to Monarch Zones and the Monarch Research Project. He will review the goals and purpose of the Monarch Research Project, and share the long-term vision. Becki will share the plans and activities for the initial Monarch Zones in 2016, and the learning/educational opportunities that will occur next summer at the Flutterby Acres Monarch Zone, Noelridge Park. Finally, future possibilities for participation in this restoration project will be offered.
All classes are free.
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