Pollination Celebration

On June 22nd the Sauvie Island Center will host Pollination Celebration on the grounds of Howell Territorial Park and the Sauvie Island Organics farm. This event is for elementary school aged kids and families. Attendees will search the farm and native hedgerow for pollinators. Using kid-sized magnifying glasses they'll get a close-up look at how bees use their bodies to gather pollen. Magnifying glasses will also help attendees see how flowers and plants attract pollinators and facilitate the pollination process. Kids will even have the chance to play the role of a pollinator, transferring pollen from one plant to another. Other activities include a look at bee hives and honey combs, instructions for making Mason Bee houses and attracting pollinators to their gardens. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic lunch, enjoy the grounds of Howell Territorial Park and visit one of the many neighboring u-pick berry farms on Sauvie Island. The event is part of National Pollinator Week, June 17th - Sunday, June 23rd. Six years ago the U.S. Senate's unanimous approval and designation of a week in June as "National Pollinator Week" marked a necessary step toward addressing the urgent issue of declining pollinator populations.  Pollinator Week has now grown to be an international celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles.