Go Team Pollinator! Today the focus is on our small but mighty (and mighty important!) pollinators, who play a key role in keeping our desert beautiful and providing food for many animals, including humans! We explore from flies to butterflies, gnats to bats, and so much more! Three different 35-minute workshops will take place on the half-hour starting at 9:00am and Rangers Jacque, Nikki and Olivia will be your guides. Pollinators: Celebrities like bees, butterflies and hummingbirds get most of the attention but let’s not forget about the low-key beetles, ants, moths and more that keep the system in motion. You can also take part in a relay race to experience some of the obstacles a pollinator must overcome to get the job done. Invasive Species: Learn about some of the invasive, non-native plants in our area that take over habitat and prevent native plants from growing – and reduce food available to our pollinators! You can also play a game to see how human and natural factors impact the survival and success of our native species. The struggle is real! Plant a Seed: Become a Pollinator Protector by planting native seeds in a pot that you can take home. Find out which plant types and colors attract different pollinators so you can create a mini oasis in your back yard.
Optional: Enhance your experience by creating a citizen science record of observations we make today (we’ll talk more about that during class!) using your phone or tablet. Download the free iNaturalist app and create an account at home beforehand, as there is limited connectivity in the park. (Seek by iNaturalist is an alternative that is geared toward younger users and does not use location data).
One workshop takes place on the Nature Center’s shaded back patio, one workshop is split between indoors and outdoors, and one is outdoors the entire time. There is minimal walking on compacted gravel trail surfaces near the Nature Center and asphalt in the parking lot for the games. Wear closed-toe shoes, sun protective clothing and a hat. Be sure to bring plenty of water. Restrooms and water are available at the Nature Center.
MEETING LOCATION: Nature Center
No pre-registration required. Upon arrival at the Nature Center, add your name to the Signup Sheet for the Start Time that you want: 9:00am, 9:40am, 10:20am, 11:00am, 11:40am. All three topics (Pollinators, Invasive Species and Plant a Seed) are available at each Start Time and workshops run concurrently. There is a limit of 20 people per time slot. Be sure to give yourself enough time (2 hours) to take part in all three sessions before the event ends at 12:15pm!