WAUSA – The Lied Lincoln Township Library in Wausa celebrated the 2024 edition of Nebraska Pollinator Week a few days early this year.
The library hosts a pollinator program annually and held this year’s event during its story hour on June 14. Attendees made flowers from their handprints and heard stories about bees and why they should not be afraid of them.
In addition, attendees all received a backpack, a shovel and flower seeds to take home. Eight adults and 21 children attended the event.
Nebraska Pollinator Week is set at the same time as National Pollinator Week, a seven-day celebration that is being held June 17-23 this year.
Each year, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission recruits interested organizations across the state to host one or more pollinator-themed events during this week.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture also is recognizing and celebrating National Pollinator Week.
Pollinator species, such as bees, other insects, birds and bats play a critical role in producing more than 100 crops grown in the United States.
“Our nation’s farmers depend on a vibrant ecosystem to feed and fuel communities, and pollinators are an important part of that ecosystem,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “This week and every week, it is critically important that we protect pollinators and their habitats.
“Healthy pollinator populations are essential to the continued success and well-being of agricultural producers, rural America and the entire U.S. economy because without them, many of our nation’s crops wouldn’t be able to produce as many fruits, nuts or vegetables,” he said.
