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PRESENTATION TOPICS
Forget Television - The Real Entertainment is Happening Outside in Your Pollinator-Friendly Garden Have you ever sat quietly in your garden next to flowering plants to just watch pollinators? This is not a crazy idea, more and more people are becoming 'pollinator watchers'. If you want to learn more about the fascinating world unfolding in your garden, attend this information-packed talk by award-winning author Heather Holm. She will showcase many types of insect pollinators, their foraging behavior, and the tricks that flowers employ to attract pollinators. You will also learn about how you can use technology to document what you see and contribute to ultimately contribute to science. Asters and Goldenrods: Autumn’s Pollinator Banquet Asters are critical late summer and fall forage for native bees including many pollen-collecting specialists. Heather will explore the nutritional components of the nectar and pollen of asters and their fall-blooming cousins the goldenrods, and demonstrate the importance of these two groups of plants for native bees as well as migratory pollinating insects such as butterflies. What's the Buzz About Native Bees This presentation explores the nesting habitat, life cycle, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of common genera of native bees occurring in the Midwestern, Eastern United States, and southern Canada. The pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees is also highlighted. Heather also discusses the presentation of floral resources and how the physical characteristics of bees can influence the bees' effectiveness as pollinators. The Pollination of Native Plants This presentation is a fascinating journey showcasing the development of different flower types and the presentation of floral resources to pollinators. Exploring the types of insect pollinators, their foraging behavior, and the floral features that attract pollinators, Heather will provide many specific examples of how native plants are pollinated and what pollinator is most effective and why. Habitat Matters: Lessons Learned From Enhancing Native Bee Habitat on Blueberry Farms In this presentation you will learn about the current research project I am working on in Minnesota and Wisconsin blueberry farms. I discuss the project objectives and reasons for studying native bees on blueberry farms, the sampling methods, native bee candidates (for blueberry pollination services), the nesting habitat of the bees, and the native plant forage recommendations. The presentation also explores the habitat evaluation of the farms, and the considerations for what kind of forage could be provided for the native bee candidates pre, and post-blueberry bloom. Attracting Bees and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants Most insects have a positive impact in our landscapes. Native plants can be selected to attract specific bees and beneficial insects including predatory and parasitic wasps, beetles, flies, true bugs, and lacewings. Learn about the predator-prey relationships of these flower-visiting beneficial insects and how they help keep problem insect populations in balance. The life cycles, diversity, and nesting habitat of native bees will also be covered along with examples of native plants for different site conditions. Restoring Ecosystem Functionality and Biodiversity How can humans benefit from green infrastructure and ecological landscape restorations? Heather will discuss ways we can achieve a sustainable coexistence with the rest of life on earth. Models of restorative landscaping including residential and community opportunities will be highlighted as well as thoughtful plant selection, ecosystem functionality, and how diversity can be maximized. A focus on pollinator habitat and outcomes, trouble shooting and monitoring of restorations, and technological resources will also be included in the presentation. Gardening for Bees and Butterflies Learn about the life cycles of bees and butterflies including where and when they nest, forage and seek shelter and food in our landscapes. Learn about pollination and which native plants are specifically pollinated by bees or butterflies. The top native plant species for different habitats will also be highlighted for both bees and butterflies including butterfly host plants. Selecting Native Trees and Shrubs that Support Pollinators While most trees are wind-pollinated, the ones that are insect-pollinated provide important forage for pollinators, especially in early spring. Learn about which canopy trees, small trees, and shrubs are insect-pollinated and the types of pollinators each plant attracts. Factors influencing pollinator visitation including flower structure, flower resources, flowering phenology, and the plant community where the woody plant occurs will also be discussed. Native Bees and Predatory Wasps of Prairie Ecosystems: Their Role as Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Learn about the nesting habitat, life cycle, pollen collection, foraging behavior, and general characteristics of common genera of native bees and predatory wasps in prairie ecosystems. This presentation examines factors that influence prairie management decisions including pollinator seasonality, floral preferences, plant community structure, bee-plant specialist relationships, and timing of prescribed burns and mowing. Selecting Native Trees and Shrubs that Support Birds and Pollinators Learn about the habitat and food requirements of birds and pollinators, and what native trees and shrubs provide these resources. Attracting Bees and Beneficial Insects to your Fruit and Vegetable Garden Learn about the importance of insect pollination and the bees responsible for pollinating the fruits and vegetables we grow in both home and commercial landscapes. Heather will discuss in detail the genera of bees responsible for the majority of the pollination and the additional forage (flowering plants) one needs to provide to ensure that the 'flower buffet' is always open, even when the fruit or vegetable plants are not in flower. Also discussed are the beneficial insects that the native flowering plants will attract and how these insects can help reduce insect pest populations in your fruit or vegetable garden. |
2020 SCHEDULED EVENTS
February 29, 2020 Dakota County Master Gardeners, MN March 14, 2020 GardenWise Penn State Extension Conference York, PA March 21, 2020 St. Croix Valley Master Gardener Conference Hudson, WI March 23, 2020 5th Annual Best Practices for Pollinators Summit Pollinator Friendly Alliance St. Anthony, MN April 1, 2020 Ohio State University Plant/Pollinator Program Columbus, OH April 18, 2020 Carver Scott Master Gardeners Garden Fever Conference Chaska, MN April 22, 2020 New York Botanical Garden Pollinator Conference Bronyx, NY April 25, 2020 Master Gardener Society of Oakland County Spring Educational Garden Conference Waterford, MI May 6, 2020 Grow Native Massachusetts Cambridge, MA May 16, 2020 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Bentonville, AR July 15, 2020 Plant it Wild Frankfort, MI July 20, 2020 2020 North American Prairie Conference Atloona, IA September 12, 2020 Indiana State Master Gardener Conference Kokomo, IN November 15, 2020 Ecological Gardening Symposium Berkshire Botanical Garden Stockbridge, MA View Listing of Past Presentations |
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ATTENDEE FEEDBACK
"Dear Heather,
We have received nothing but glowing feedback about your presentations and pollinator walk. What a treat to have you here!"
- Phyllis Stiles, Director, Bee City USA Asheville, NC, July 2016
We have received nothing but glowing feedback about your presentations and pollinator walk. What a treat to have you here!"
- Phyllis Stiles, Director, Bee City USA Asheville, NC, July 2016
"Thank you again for speaking to the Mahtomedi community last night. In observing the audience during your talk, Gardening for Bees and Butterflies, I could see they were totally absorbed in the material being presented.
The feedback I've received from audience members was resoundingly positive.
Some comments from your talk include:
-"Wonderful speaker and great topic."
-"Good command of the material."
-"I had no idea bees' lives were so fascinating."
-"Uses subtle humor effectively and naturally."
-"Increased sensitivity to the important role we play in inviting pollinators to our gardens."
-"Increased awareness of habitat needs of bees."
-"Will use more discretion and extra caution when using pesticides."
-Pleasant and easy to listen to; could listen to Heather all day."
- Jackie Metelak, Mahtomedi Garden Club
The feedback I've received from audience members was resoundingly positive.
Some comments from your talk include:
-"Wonderful speaker and great topic."
-"Good command of the material."
-"I had no idea bees' lives were so fascinating."
-"Uses subtle humor effectively and naturally."
-"Increased sensitivity to the important role we play in inviting pollinators to our gardens."
-"Increased awareness of habitat needs of bees."
-"Will use more discretion and extra caution when using pesticides."
-Pleasant and easy to listen to; could listen to Heather all day."
- Jackie Metelak, Mahtomedi Garden Club
"We were all very engaged in your presentation, and many members later told me how much they learned and enjoyed it. From your knowledge of the natural history of so many types of bees and plants to your beautiful photography, we enjoyed every minute of it. The information you shared about the interaction between bees and plants was especially interesting to our group. Your time and preparation are very much appreciated."
- Mary Beth Pottratz, Minnesota Master Naturalists, West Metro Chapter
- Mary Beth Pottratz, Minnesota Master Naturalists, West Metro Chapter
"Extremely well presented and knowledgeable speaker. I learned a lot from Ms. Holm and was able to follow along. Her slide deck was a perfect mix of text and graphic representation. I could have listened to her all day."
"Excellent! The most visually appealing presentation. An extremely clear presenter."
"Wonderful balanced approach to understanding insect diversity in natural habitats."
"Heather should be on any program that deals with bees. Her knowledge, and the succinct way she has of imparting that knowledge, is excellent."
- Survey respondents, Pollinators Cubed: Plants and People Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, November 2014
"Excellent! The most visually appealing presentation. An extremely clear presenter."
"Wonderful balanced approach to understanding insect diversity in natural habitats."
"Heather should be on any program that deals with bees. Her knowledge, and the succinct way she has of imparting that knowledge, is excellent."
- Survey respondents, Pollinators Cubed: Plants and People Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, November 2014
To schedule an author event, please email contact@pollinatorsnativeplants.com