Plants for Pollinators

Understanding and caring for a precious ecosystem service

According to the Pollinator Partnership, one out of every three bites of food we eat comes from a plant that’s been pollinated. Pollinators, such as birds, bats, bees and butterflies, carry pollen on their bodies as they flit plant to plant, transferring genetic material all along the way. This service is critical to the reproduction of most flowering plants, and these plants, in turn, are essential for our wellbeing.

Pollinated plants provide fruits, vegetables and nuts and half of the world’s oils. And importantly, like all plants, pollinated plants sequester carbon. Yet, evidence from around the world indicates that the precious ecosystem services provided by pollinators is in jeopardy.

Plants need pollinators, and pollinators need plants! At our June meeting, Penn State Master Gardener JoAnn DeCesar will help us understand pollination, specifically in our part of the world. Her wide-ranging presentation will include identification of common pollinators, touch on climate change and invasive plants, and reveal the importance of native plants, including those that serve as both hosts and nectar sources for pollinators. She will also basic info on habitat for bees. Handouts will be provided and Joan will bring along favorite books that she uses for reference.

We hope you’ll flit on by to join us for this important and lively talk! All are invited. Our meetings are free and open to the public. The meeting is Tuesday, June 26, at 7:00 at TEKPark (9999 Hamilton Boulevard, Breinigsville, PA 18031, between Kutztown and Allentown). After the meeting, please plan to stick around and chat with friends old and new. Light snacks will be served. Hope to see you there!

JoAnn DeCesar grew up on a small dairy farm in Lower Nazareth Township in the 50s and 60s, back when there were more wild areas, plants, butterflies and insects and birds— and unrestricted pesticide and herbicide use. She went off to Indianapolis for college in 1970, wound up in Berks County, got married, became a critical care nurse, had 3 children, and stayed home with them for almost 10 years. In 1995 she returned to work as a school nurse, eventually finding her niche at Fleetwood Middle School. When she retired 3 years ago she joined the ranks of the Penn State Master Gardener program. She is passionate about preserving our natural environment, and that includes battling those elements which threaten our native insects, birds, animals, and plants.

Need a gift…but don’t want to buy stuff?

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MAREA is a 501(c)3 non-profit. Donations and memberships are how we keep the lights on. You can join at the meeting or anytime online, http://www.themarea.org. Thanks for your help.