MAYFIELD, Ill. — The University of Illinois Extension along with DeKalb County and Kane-DuPage County Soil and Water Conservation Districts are offering Pondering Pollinators over Breakfast on Thursday, August 23 from 8 to 10:30 a.m. at the Mayfield Congregational UCC church at 28405 Church Road. The program will start with a light breakfast followed by a presentation on native pollinators with University of Illinois Extension Educator, Peggy Doty. Dean Johnson, Resource Conservationist, will have the new air seeder outside for people to view. This seeder, owned jointly between DeKalb County Soil and Water and the DeKalb County Pheasants Forever chapter, is used to plant pollinator habitat in areas larger than backyard gardens. Johnson will be available to answer questions about the seeder and how to get pollinator habitat planted on your property. Elizabeth Hagen-Moeller, Administration and Education Coordinator, Kane-Dupage Soil and Water Conservation District, will also be available to answer questions on other programs available for land owners. Anyone interested can also take the tour of the Mayfield Monarch Waystation on the property. This four year old native pollinator garden has recently become open as a public community garden.
“Convincing people to assist native pollinators is a hard sell,” said Peggy Doty. “They are insects and unlike panda bears or bald eagles, they are tiny in size and not as attractive as other animals groups.” Doty continues, “These native pollinators need the native plants they know to sustain themselves so they can also pollinate food and fiber crops which we count on for people. Planting what these little guys need is actually a simple way to be sure our own food chain stays intact.”
The cost for this program including the light breakfast is $5.00 per attendee. To register for Pondering Pollinators over Breakfast please contact Elizabeth Hagen-Moeller at Kane-Dupage Soil and Water Conservation District at 630-584-7960.
— Peggy Doty, Educator, Energy and Environmental Stewardship,University of Illinois Extension, Unit 2
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