Springville, Tenn.–The Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge invites everyone for “Monarchs, Bees and Pollinator Event” from 10 a.m. -3 pm Saturday, Sept. 14 at the refuge visitor center located at 1371 Wildlife Drive in Springville, as they celebrate our all-important pollinators. The day will feature speakers and activities that focus on the Monarch butterfly and other butterflies, bees, insect pollinators and enhancing their habitats.
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:
- 10:30 am – “Monarchs and Native Butterflies” – Kimberley Vensel -Butler Butterfly Lady
- 11:30 am – “Bees and Beekeeping” – Bernie Leslie/James Hinton –
Kentucky Lake Beekeeper’s Association
- 1:00 pm – “Creating Pollinator Plots” – Fran Holberg – Quail Forever
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 on hand to show participants their adjacent pollinator plot. 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 how to plant milkweed seeds in cups. Free milkweed seeds will be available for all attending.
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.