Pollinator populations are plummeting. Moths and butterflies have declined by 53 percent. In the last 22 years, Monarch butterfly numbers have decreased by 68 percent and native bee populations have also declined dramatically. Officials estimate 30 percent of the agricultural food supply would be lost without pollinators.
National Pollinator Week is set for the week of June 17.Locally, two events are set to mark the week.
Pollinator Project Coordinator for Oneida County, Baerbel Ehrig says the week is noted all over the North American continent. She says locally there will be a presentation in Three Lakes and a guided garden tour by Heather Holm, an award-winning author of many popular bee and pollinator books and a film...
"...and then we're showing a movie called "Hometown Habitat", which will show efforts across the United States in order to create natural landscapes with native wildflowers and how landscaping is positively affected along with the ecosystems, including pollinators..."
The event Friday night June 14 is at the Three Lakes Center For the Arts and is sponsored the Edith Reiter Trust, Three Lakes Waterfront Association, Three Lakes Community Foundation, and private sponsors. Any donations collected will be used to help fund pollinator- friendly habitat sites around the Three Lakes community.
The next day will be a day of activity starting at the the Three Lakes Historical Museum, including pulling invasive plants, pollinator walk and wildflower sale. Another event is set for June 18 at the courthouse in Rhinelander. We have a link at here for more information.
