Bees, with their many body hairs, are excellent pollinators

Got the gardening blahs?  Need some fresh inspiration?  Consider a visit to the new pollinator garden at the Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA).  This Saturday will be the grand opening, beginning at 9:30 am.  I will be one of the speakers, sharing what I know about insect pollinators.  But Ken Stiegman, LLELA director will also be there giving a butterfly walk and Rosemary Carrizales, volunteer coordinator for the garden will answer questions about planting your own pollinator garden.

The garden, of course, is open all the time, and provides a wonderful opportunity to view North Texas prairie grasses and wildflowers. Part of the purpose of a pollinator garden is to give a boost to our native pollinators by providing habitat. Populations of bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects are in steep decline across the United States due to loss of habitat and other environmental issues. Without these often unappreciated creatures, about 75 percent of our flowering plants and crops would not develop fruit or seeds.

I have not yet seen the garden myself, but Janet Laminack, county horticulture agent for Denton County gives it two thumbs up, saying it looks real good.  We hope to see some of you local gardeners there.

Admission to LLELA is $5/person; children 5 years and younger are free.  The preserve entrance is at 201 E. Jones St., Lewisville, TX 75057. Please visit www.ias.unt.edu/llela or call 972-219-3930 for more information.