Pollinator Day
Jun 22nd @ 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
National Pollinator Week is an annual celebration in support of pollinator health that was initiated and managed by Pollinator Partnership. It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Discovery Park will be celebrating this event by hosting Pollinator Day on Saturday, June 22 with a range of activities for all ages. Spend your Saturday at Discovery Park celebrating the invaluable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, moths, wasps and flies.
A special thank you to Roundstone Native Seed for providing pollinator conservation mix seed packets, available for guests at Discovery Park Wildlife Table while supplies last.
While visiting, stop by Discovery Park’s gift shop for some one-of-a-kind pollinator merchandise.
All activities are included with membership or general admission.
Schedule of Activities:
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Regional History Gallery
- Pollinator-related crafts and activities hosted by Discovery Park staff and Big Cypress Tree State Park Rangers
- Dyer County 4-H director Rebecca Willis and friends lead hands-on activities about pollinators
10:30 a.m. | Regional History Gallery
Greenhouse Update
Guests will have the opportunity to hear from Discovery Park’s Eric Uselton about the new and exciting things happening in the Farm Credit Mid-America Pavilion and Greenhouses.
11 a.m. | Regional History Gallery
The Forgotten Pollinators of Tennessee
Join Dr. Kevin Pitz, UT Martin entomologist, for a lesson about the forgotten preserved invertebrate specimens from the university’s collection. These creatures are often overlooked as pollinators.
11 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Farm Credit Mid-America Pavilion and Greenhouses
Explore the greenhouses, seasonal plants and more with Eric Uselton.
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. | Pollinator Plots behind STEM Landing
Pollinator Collecting
Children of all ages are invited to join Dr. Shawna Adams from Dyersburg State Community College in collecting and identifying pollinators. All catches will be kept in a screen house tent until 4 p.m. for observation.
12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Simmons Bank Ag Center
Bees at Discovery Park of America
Stop by and visit with representatives from the Northwest Tennessee Bee Keeper’s Association to learn more about bees that live at Discovery Park and their daily activities.
1 p.m. | Regional History Gallery
Buzzworthy Insights from the Northwest Tennessee Bee Keeper’s Association
Wilbur Brewer from the Northwest Tennessee Bee Keeper’s Association discuss all the buzz around beekeeping and more with his honey-making friends for an up-close experience.
2 p.m. | Regional History Gallery
Nectar Seekers: Hummingbirds as Nature’s Pollinators
Dr. David Pitts, a retired ornithologist from the University of Tennessee at Martin, will explore the role of hummingbirds as significant pollinators. With extensive research and numerous publications on hummingbirds, Dr. Pitts brings a wealth of expertise to this discussion.
3 p.m. | Regional History Gallery
From Pollination to Plate: Exploring Pollinators as Prey
Discover a special presentation by the Discovery Park Wildlife Department, highlighting pollinators not only as creators of food but also as food themselves. Learn about various creatures in our collection that consume pollinators, and perhaps even experience tasting one firsthand.
4 p.m. | Pollinator Plots behind STEM Landing
Pollinator Farewell
Join us as we release any remaining pollinators from the screen house tent, marking the conclusion of our Pollinator Day events.
All Day Activities (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
A Day in the Life as a BeeKeeper in the Wade Cabin
Learn about the various duties of a beekeeper with hands-on activities and demonstrations that make this sticky pastime fascinating to many.
Meet Buzzy Bee
Buzzy Bee will be buzzing around throughout the entire day for all to enjoy.
