Master Gardeners Pam Pace, Caitlin Friedman and Shelly Deisch will offer their insights to bumble bees, the prolific pollinators, at the Green Thumb Education Series presentation, “Humble Bumble Bees,” slated for noon-1 p.m. on Thursday, July 11, at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 510 E. Park Ave., Port Angeles.
The presentation is also available online. To join via Zoom, go to wsu.zoom.us/j/93629898830 (meeting ID 936 2989 8830, passcode 676224) or join by phone by calling 253-215-8782.
Learn more about what landowners and gardeners on the Olympic Peninsula can do to conserve and enhance habitats for bumble bees.
Washington state has a diversity of bumble bee species, local gardening experts note, but some are declining. Attendees will learn basic bumble bee identification skills and what habitats will attract them. Gardeners will also receive information on how they can contribute to local conservation efforts to help save these critical critters.
Pace has twice earned the title of Master Gardener — both in Kootenai County, Idaho, and in Clallam County in 2023. She has been gardening in the Pacific Northwest for the last 40 years and enjoys growing flowers, herbs, fruit, vegetables and native pollinator plants, including a constantly changing wildflower slope garden.
Friedman is new to the Olympic Peninsula (and Washington state), moving from Florida a few years ago. She enjoys learning about best-practices for encouraging native pollinators in the meadow and forest areas of her property.
Deisch is a recent resident of Clallam County as well, moving from the Black Hills of South Dakota. She is a retired wildlife biologist specializing in habitats, from bats to elk.
The Green Thumb Education Series, sponsored by the Washington State University Clallam County Master Gardeners, is held on the second and fourth Thursday of each month through October. In November, December, and January, one lecture is offered. Scheduled presentations are subject to change. Visit the WSU Extension Clallam County website calendar for the latest information on upcoming presentations. For questions, call 360-565-2678.
