Springville, Tenn.–The Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge invites everyone to its
Monarchs, Bees and Pollinators Event”, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, September 29. The refuge is located at 1371 Wildlife Drive in Springville.
As the title suggests, the day will feature speakers and activities that focus on Monarchs and other butterflies, bees and insect pollinators.
Partner organizations assisting with the day include the Friends of Tennessee NWR, Quail Forever, and the Kentucky Lake Beekeepers Association.
A series of speakers will present programs that will include:
- 10 am – Danny Kimberlin – Monarch Conservation
– Friends of Tennessee NWR
- 11 am – Bernie Leslie/James Hinton – Bees and Beekeeping
– Kentucky Lake Beekeeper’s Association
- 12:30 pm – Susan Woods – Native Gardening for Pollinators
– Master Naturalist
- 2 pm – Glenn Lee – Our Native Pollinators
– Entomologist
The day will also include activities for the family on the back patio. A demonstration bee hive and beekeeping equipment will be on hand provided by the Kentucky Lake Beekeepers Association. Quail Forever will be hosting an activity that teaches about the Monarch Life Cycle. Entomologist Glenn Lee will have lots to show about our native butterflies and insects. The day will also include a tour of the refuge’s new demonstration pollinator patch where live Monarch caterpillars, butterflies, and native plants are easy to see. The Friends of Tennessee will also have children’s crafts and will be showing children about milkweeds and how to plant them in seed cups. Free milkweed seeds will be available for all attending.
For those wanting to picnic on the back patio overlooking a beautiful bay of Kentucky Lake, the Friends of Tennessee NWR will have hotdog lunches available for $5. All proceeds to benefit putting on free educational events at the refuge.
The Refuge holds monthly free programs held at the new refuge visitor center sponsored by the Friends of Tennessee NWR that attempts to connect people with nature. For more information about upcoming Refuge programs or about the refuge in general, please call the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge Headquarters at 731-642-2091 or see our website at www.fws.gov/refuge/Tennessee or on facebook at www.facebook.com/tennesseenwr.
Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge, encompassing 51,358 acres of water, forests, farmland and grasslands, is located on and around Kentucky Lake. Established in 1945, the refuge is managed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service as an important resting and feeding area for wintering waterfowl and other migratory birds. The refuge’s three units, the Duck River, Big Sandy and Busseltown stretch along 65 miles of the Tennessee River.
Jean Owens photo.