A celebration of bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and other species that help pollinate more than 1,200 crops and about 90% of all flowering plants that rely on pollinators for the survival of their species. Pollinators also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, and support other wildlife. During June, people of all ages can learn more about the interdependence between humans and pollinators. Especially in our agricultural area, this is a subject of interest related to the food we eat and the economically important crops we raise.
Pollinator Month activities range from gardening tips, free seeds, honey-tastings, walks along nature trails, and valuable information about bees and beekeeping. A complete schedule of events is available at here. For questions about Pollinator Month or to volunteer, contact [email protected].
Hendersonville’s Pollinator Month events are coordinated by Bee City USA-Hendersonville, a program of Bullington Gardens and Hendersonville Tree Board.
Pollinator Trail
A brand new self-guided tour of eco-friendly gardens, green spaces, farms, garden centers, restaurants, breweries, and other local destinations that highlight the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators is now available at www.hendersonvillenc.gov/pollinator-trail. If you have established a new pollinator garden, to be considered for inclusion in the next edition of the Trail, please get in touch with us prior to Pollinator Month in June.
Honey Tasting and Live Honey Bees
Saturday, June 3, 8am – 1pm
Presented by HoneyBee Bliss, Randy and Pam Knowles.
Location: Hendersonville Farmers Market at the Historic Train Depot, 650 Maple Street
Cost: no charge; no registration required
At this vendor’s booth, taste pure, raw, local honey, and safely observe a live honey bee hive.
Lewis Creek Preserve Nature Walk
Wednesday, June 7, 9am – 11am
Presented by MountainTrue and Conserving Carolina
Location: Edneyville Community Center, 15 Ida Rogers Drive, Edneyville
Cost: no charge; registration required at https://mountaintrue.org/event/lewis-creek-preserve-nature-walk-in-hendersonville-nc-6-7-23/
Bob Gale, MountainTrue’s Ecologist & Public Lands Director, will lead a slow hike along the nature trail and boardwalk, interpreting plant life, wildflowers, a rare Southern Appalachian Bog ecosystem, and the value of pollinators on this property. From the community center parking lot, the group will go to Lewis Creek Preserve trailhead a short distance away. Suitable for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Native Plant Identification Walk
Saturday, June 10, 9am
Presented by Rachel Meriwether and Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway
Location: Patton Park, 1730 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Meet at the pavilion next to the basketball courts. Rachel will lead a pleasant walk on the Oklawaha Greenway suitable for all ages, identifying plants along the way. Water, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. For more information visit OkGr-Events- (friendsofoklawaha.org)
Returning a Meadow to Pollinators
Saturday, June 10, 9am – 4pm
Presented by Echo Hill Farm
Location: Echo Hill Farm, 529 Pace Rd., Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Explore the emerging pollinator meadow reconstruction, looking for native plants and identifying invasives with input from Snow Creek Landscaping. Appropriate for all ages. Visit https://www.facebook.com/echohillfarmnc for more information
Garden Club
Monday, June 12, 4– 5pm
Presented by Henderson County Public Library
Location: Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington Street, Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
This is a special Garden Club event for families and children grades K – 5. Play Pollinator Jeopardy and make pollinator-friendly waterers for the library gardens.
Visit https://hendersonpl.libcal.com/event/10515952 for more information.
Green River Bee Company Installation Event
Saturday, June 17, 2023
9:00 AM 1:00 PM
Presented by: Jon Gleman – Green River Bee Company
Installation of a Trailhead, Pollinator Habitats and an Educational Board at Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC . We will have a Q & A session during each install. Green River Bee Company Events.
Audience Served: All Ages
Cost: Free
Registration: None Required
Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series – Making Your Garden a True Home for Pollinators
June 24 @ 10:30 am – 12:00 pm. Free.
Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve
Speaker: Kim Bailey, avid wildlife habitat gardener, environmental educator, and owner of Milkweed Meadows Farm
Explore the life cycles and habitat needs of our native bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds while learning to create a garden that’s not just friendly to pollinators, but irresistible! Kim Bailey (AKA nectar bartender and pollinator chef at Milkweed Meadows Farm) will share secret ingredients and recipes for serving up a bountiful buffet from spring through fall. The key is not just providing nectar-producing plants to attract adult pollinators who will fly by “the bar” for a quick sip then move along. You also want to offer a kids’ menu to entice pollinators to stick around and make your garden their home. This means growing critical “baby food” plants (such as milkweed!) and flowers with “carryout pollen” to cater to picky eaters!
**Kim will be bringing a selection of native plants to for sale following the presentation!
An avid wildlife habitat gardener and environmental educator for over 25 years, Kim Bailey has a true passion for pollinators. In 2014, she moved to family property in Fruitland, NC and founded Milkweed Meadows Farm. Generations ago, the property was a working dairy farm. Today, instead of producing milk, the farm grows milkweed as well as native wildflower seeds, open-pollinated heirloom vegetable seeds, pollinator-friendly potted plants, cut flowers, and specialty fruits. Living tunnels of passionvines, pipevines, and climbing milkweeds benefit a diversity of butterfly species while an orchard of over 100 pawpaw trees specifically nurture zebra swallowtails. Kim not only enjoys gardening for bees, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and other wildlife at the farm, but loves sharing knowledge about creating pollinator habitats with others by regularly teaching classes and giving presentations.
In order to make this an enjoyable and educational experience for participants, space is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required.
*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.
Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected] with questions or for more information.
RSVP HERE!
Bee Wise
Saturday, June 24, 10am – 2pm
Presented by Caregivers of Mother Earth and Horse Shoe Gap Village
Location: Horse Shoe Gap Village, 3636 Brevard Rd., Horse Shoe
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Local author Elle Travis shares stories from her children’s books, including Bee Wise. A scavenger hunt with prizes, potted pollinator flowers for sale, an educational bee experience by a local honeybee expert, and much more will be offered.
Nature Walk and Talk: Bees and Beekeeping
Saturday, June 24, 10 – 11:30am
Presented by The Park at Flat Rock
Location: The Park at Flat Rock, 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Park volunteer and beekeeper Will Garvey will discuss how the park supports bees, and how bees support the park … and how the park’s wildflower meadow, pollinator garden, native bees, and beehives work together to create healthy ecosystems. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Pollinator events are also scheduled in Asheville. Visit ashevillegreenworks.org to learn more.
