June 17, 2017 (MINNEAPOLIS) Join in the activities for Pollinator Week June 19-25 for ways to help out our bees and butterflies. One-third of the food and drink produced in the U.S. depends on bees, butterflies and other pollinators. We need healthy pollinators for healthy communities in Minneapolis, a healthy ecosystem and a healthy food supply.

All events are free unless listed otherwise below. Pollinator Week is buzzing with activity:

• You can pick up free “seedles” at any Minneapolis farmers market (while supplies last) during Pollinator Week. Seedles are wildflower seed balls that help provide healthy plants – food and shelter for pollinators – in your yard and boulevard.

Monday, June 19

• Grant award presentation and pollinator patch planting 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. City’s lead-safe house, 2632 Bloomington Ave. S.
• Pollinator patch planting 6 p.m. 56 Brewing Company, 3055 Columbia Ave. NE

Wednesday, June 21

• Tree planting

6-8 p.m.

Surly Brewing Company, 520 Malcolm Ave. SE

Thursday, June 22

• Evenings @ The Bakken Presents: Deep Roots: Plants as Medicine

5:30-9 p.m.

The Bakken Museum, 3537 Zenith Ave. S.

Free for Bakken members, $12 for general admission

Friday, June 23

• Honey House tour

11 a.m.-noon

The Beez Kneez Honey House, 2204 Minnehaha Ave.

Saturday June 24

• Naturally Wild’s native Minnesota wildflower sale

10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Naturally Wild, 3539 W. 44th St.

• Bachman’s hosts: Twin Cities Rose Club British style rose show

Entries accepted 7-9:30 a.m.
Event 1-4 p.m.
Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Ave. S.
Prospect Park garden walk and plant sale
10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Map of self-guided tour available online, plant sale at St. Frances Cabrini Church parking lot, 1500 Franklin Ave. SE

Sunday June 25

• Beez Kneez bike ride tour of pollinator patches and picnic

9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Begin and end at the Beez Kneez Honey House, 2204 Minnehaha Ave.
$20, space is limited, register by June 23

• Bachman’s hosts: Twin Cities Rose Club British style rose show

1-4 p.m.
Bachman's, 6010 Lyndale Ave. S.

Pollinator populations are in sharp decline because of an ongoing loss of plants that feed and shelter them combined with a large-scale expansion of pesticide use by homeowners, landscapers, property managers and farmers. Neonicotinoids and other systemic pesticides have been shown to kill and weaken bees and other pollinators.

When doing yard work, avoid pesticides that poison bees and butterflies, and if you buy plants, make sure they haven’t already been treated. You can also help by landscaping or gardening with the kinds of plants that nourish pollinators.

Video

Watch and share this video about helping protect our food supply by helping pollinators.

More information

Find more details on the Pollinator Week events at www.minneapolismn.gov/environment/bees.

Find more information about the seedles and Minneapolis farmers markets (including a map and open times of each market) at www.minneapolismn.gov/sustainability/homegrown/farmersmarkets. You can also follow the Farmers Markets of Minneapolis on Facebook.