April 8 & 29 | May 13 | June 3 (additional time 11-12:30p)

SERIES DESCRIPTION: Come see what all the buzz is about and BEEcome a Pollinator Warrior in this four-part series. Get an inside look at pollinators and their vital role in keeping our environment healthy and our food supply secure. Learn why pollinators are important, what is needed to protect them and graduate with the tools you need to make a big difference in protecting and revitalizing our pollinators and their homes. You’ll take home items after every session to put your Pollinator Warrior Powers to good use!

Individual session registration is available for those unable to attend all four sessions, but you’ll get the most benefit by participating in the series since the classes build on each other. Individual session descriptions detailed below. Participants who complete the series of four sessions will receive a special book and certificate at a graduation luncheon, along with bragging rights to your new powers!

$100 for the entire series (Use coupon code 4CLASSPASS at check out) or $30 per person, per session
Open to adults and children ages 10+
Limited spaces available

SESSION 1 (4/8): Why Pollinators Need Warriors – Why Pollinators Need Warriors: Ever wonder about who pollinators are and the role they play in our environment and to our food supply? During this session, you’ll learn what pollination is, the different types, and why pollinators are in trouble and need our help. Then take a guided tour of Stratford with a local pollinator expert and see how many you can find. Leave with an assortment of Ohio Department of Natural Resources guidebooks on bees & wasps, butterflies, wildflowers and more.

SESSION 2 (4/29): Gardening for Pollinators – Want to know how you can help the pollinators in your own backyard? Come discover why habitat and native plants are so important. You will learn how to start and maintain a pollinator garden or, if space is limited, a container garden. You will leave with tools to start or add your own pollinator garden along with references on where to purchase additional native seeds and plants.

SESSION 3 (5/13): Pollinators and Farming – Build upon the foundation from session 1 as we dig deeper into how pollination impacts agriculture and our food supply. Gain a deeper understanding as to why pesticides and some genetically modified crops (GMOs) can be harmful to the environment. We can’t talk about agriculture and pollination without talking about honeybees. Make sure to wear long sleeves and pants (veils provided), because you’ll suit up and get a firsthand look inside one of our living beehives. Each participant will leave with a small jar of honey.

SESSION 4 (6/3): How to be a Pollinator Scientist – There are not enough scientists to do all the work that is needed to study and protect our pollinators. That’s where you come in! In this session, you’ll learn how to participate in Citizen Science programs that allow you to help collect data for science. We will review some of these programs and teach you how to use one of the most popular, iNaturalist. You’ll get an overview of how to simply take accurate photos in your own backyard – or anywhere in nature – so experts can ID what you find. Whether you have fancy photography equipment or just a smartphone you can have a big impact! Following session four we will have a graduation luncheon from 11am – 12:30pm for all who have completed the four sessions. Each participant will leave with a book and a certificate naming them as a certified Pollinator Warrior!