June is Pollinator Month – a celebration of the valuable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats, beetles, and other species that help pollinate more than 1,200 crops. That means that one out of every three bites of food you eat is there because of pollinators. In addition, about 90% of all flowering plants rely on pollinators for the survival of their species. Thus, pollinators also support healthy ecosystems that clean the air, stabilize soils, and support other wildlife. During June, at events of all kinds, people can learn more about why we need pollinators and how pollinators need us.
Pollinator Month activities provide gardening tips (and seeds), offer tastings of honey, present information about bees and beekeeping, guide participants along a unique nature trail, and more. A complete schedule of events is available at www.bullingtongardens.org/beecityusahendersonville/pollinator-events. Pollinator Month updates are available at www.facebook.com/beecityhendersonville/ . For questions about Pollinator Month, and to volunteer please contact beecityhendersonville@gmail.com.
The Pollinator Month celebration is part of Hendersonville’s Bee City USA program, coordinated by Bullington Gardens.
Pollinator Programs and Events in Hendersonville, June 2022
Pollinator Themed Afternoon Tea
June 1 through June 30, Tuesday – Saturday 11:30am – 1:30pm (By reservation only)
Presented by The Book and Bee Café’ and Tea
A pollinator-themed afternoon tea featuring sweet and savory treats, all with a nod to different pollinators and flowers. Suitable for all ages.
Location: 795 Mountain Road, Hendersonville
Cost: $30.00/adult and $12.50/child.
Reservation needed: Call Victoria, 828-845-4242
Online Course Series | Gardening for the Planet
Presented by Spriggly’s Beescaping
An online course series offering simple steps to become stewards of the environment. Course topics include pollinators, other beneficial wildlife, habitat restoration, “pest” management, and more. A bonus course for kids 5-10 years old features a book reading of Spriggly’s children’s book Finding Home: A Story of a Mason Bee. Learn more at sprigglys.com/gardening-for-the-planet-course-series or contact info@sprigglys.com.
Cost: Monthly subscription, $20; lifetime access to the series and new content added, $150.
Pollinator Walk-n-Talk
Saturday, June 4, June 11, June 18, and June 25, 10-11am
Presented by Bullington Gardens
Meet at the information kiosk near the brick house to take a guided stroll through the pollinator trail. Afterwards, enjoy the woodland nature trail, Sally’s Garden, horticultural therapy gardens, the Fairy Trail, and more. Suitable for all ages, no registration required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville
Cost: No charge, but donations are always welcome. www.bullingtongardens.org.
Pollinator Day at Hendersonville Farmers Market
Saturday, June 4, 8 am-1 pm
Presented by Hendersonville Farmers Market at the Historic Train Depot
In addition to the many market vendors at this open-air market, Bee City USA-Hendersonville will have a booth with information on pollinator gardening, make-n-takes for the kids, and free pollinator-friendly seed packets while supplies last. Elle Travis will host a reading of her Nature Connections books; Loretta Zedella will have Butterfly Flight Wings for sale; Honeybee Bliss will feature a live observation beehive for viewing; Milkweed Meadows Farm will have pollinator plants for sale; Artist Elizabeth Queen will discuss the nearby pollinator-inspired sidewalk mural Shanti Elixirs will give away 24 bottles of Jun, their seasonal honey elixir, to the first 24 customers that come in costume and use the code word “Save the Bees.”
Location: in front of the train depot, 650 Maple Street, Hendersonville.
Honey Tasting and Live Honey Bees
Saturday, June 4 & 25, 8am – 1pm
Presented by HoneyBee Bliss, Randy and Pam Knowles.
Drop by this vendor booth to taste pure, raw, local honey.
Location: Hendersonville Farmers Market at the Historic Train Depot, 650 Maple Street, Hendersonville.
Sunday Brunch Market at Sideways Farm & Brewery
Sunday, June 5, noon – 3pm
Presented by Milkweed Meadows Farm, Bee Masters Farm, and Sideways Farm & Brewery
Sideways is one of just a few breweries in the nation using honey instead of corn sugar to add carbonation to their bottles of small batch artisan brews. That honey is produced on their own farm and by nearby beekeepers. Their garden offers bountiful blooms for pollinators and fresh-cut flower bouquets for visitors. A variety of vendors will sell pollinator-friendly plants, food, jun (a beverage made of honey), beer, and honey. Hive inspections (on the hour, weather permitting) will be offered to show how to inspect hive boxes. Protective veils will be available, but participants should wear long sleeves, long pants, closed shoes. Fun for all ages.
Location: Sideways Farm and Brewery, 62 Eade Road (off Old Hwy 64), Etowah
Cost: no charge to attend
Story Time with Elle before Music on Main
Friday, June 10, 17 & 24, 6 – 7pm
Presented by Caregivers of Mother Earth, Elle Travis
Before the Music on Main event begins, author Elle Travis will tell children’s stories that celebrate Pollinator Month. Elle will recount her adventure creating Spring Magic, Summer Fun, Fall into Autumn, and Winter Tales in her Nature Connections book series for children of all ages. These adventures led her to establish a nonprofit, Caregivers of Mother Earth, to teach children the wonders of nature and how we are one in the web of life. Books will be available for sale and for signing. Featured stories will include Bee Wise and Dream Big! Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Hendersonville Visitor Center, 201 South Main Street.
Cost: no charge to attend
The Making of a Meadow for Pollinators
Saturday, June 11, 9am – 5pm
Presented by Historic Echo Hill Farm
Echo Hill Farm, listed on the National Historic Register as the Otto King House and Farm, is in transition to a sustainable, natural management model by re-establishing a meadow. During the day, a film will be shown that has inspired Echo Hill owners. Hometown Habitat – Stories of Bringing Nature Home features entomologist Dr. Douglas Tallamy with Producer/Director Catherine Zimmerman, of The Meadow Project, as they discuss how humans and nature can coexist in mutually beneficial ways. It will be shown throughout the day. Visitors can see Pygora fiber goats, a gorgeous peacock and peahen, and Lincoln Longwool sheep, a rare Heritage breed, on a walk through the emerging meadow reconstruction. Sandy Bee Mine will make a presentation on the new apiary at Echo Hill and host a honey tasting. A photo taken in the pollinator themed “photo booth” will get your photo emailed as a thank-you gift for supporting the farm owner’s efforts to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators.
Location: Echo Hill Farm, 529 Pace Rd., Hendersonville
Cost: no charge to attend.
Bee Wise & Have Fun
Saturday, June 11, 10am – noon and 2 – 4pm
Presented by: Caregivers of Mother Earth/Horse Shoe Gap Village and The Horse Shoe Farm
Hidden Trails Coffeehouse in Horse Shoe Gap Village will host local author Elle Travis telling stories from her children’s books, including Bee Wise, 10 a.m. to noon. In the afternoon, 2-4 p.m., Elle moves to The Horse Shoe Farm where samples of farm-raised honey will be included as the author reads her children’s stories. Books on sale at both locations, signed by Elle Travis.
Locations: 10am – noon, Horseshoe Gap Village, 3630 Brevard Rd., Hendersonville
2- 4pm, The Horse Shoe Farm, 155 Horse Shoe Farm Drive, Hendersonville
Registration: required for the afternoon event. Register at https://www.thehorseshoefarm.com/future-events/bee-wise-have-fun/.
Flower Power
June 21-June 24, Tuesday-Friday, 10am – 5pm
Presented by Hands On! Children’s Museum
Drop by the children’s museum anytime during the day, June 21-24, and visit the new MakerStudio there, where all the items are available to create beautiful paper flowers. A rainbow of colors will help make “far out” crafty creations to take home or leave in the MakerStudio for all to see.
Location: Hands On! Children’s Museum, 318 N. Main Street, Hendersonville
Cost: Admission to the museum, $8 plus tax, per person (adult/child). No charge for members.
Garden Magic: Seed Bundle Workshop
Wednesday, June 22, 1 – 3pm
Presented by Hands On! Children’s Museum
Stop by to create pollinator-friendly Seed Bundles in celebration of Pollinator Month. Whether to make a backyard garden a little more adventurous or for a handmade gift for a loved one with green thumbs, this family-friendly workshop is fun for all ages.
Location: Hands On! Children’s Museum, 318 N. Main Street, Hendersonville
Cost: Admission to the museum, $8 plus tax, per person (adult/child). No charge for members.
Lewis Creek Preserve Nature Walk
Thursday, June 23, 9 – 11am
Presented by MountainTrue and Conserving Carolina
Lewis Creek Preserve is an eight-acre preserve protected and managed by Conserving Carolina. MountainTrue Ecologist and Public Lands Director Bob Gale will lead a slow hike along the nature trail, interpreting the plant life, wildflowers, and value of pollinators on this property. The boardwalk overlooks an example of the remaining rare Southern Appalachian Bog ecosystems. Bob and MountainTrue have special expertise in managing these bogs and in addressing their threats, including non-native invasive plants. Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: Edneyville Community Center, 15 Ida Rogers Drive, Hendersonville. Meet at the community center parking lot; then we will head to the Lewis Creek Preserve trailhead a short distance away.
Cost: No charge
Registration: Required. Register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/foBJUtmLuUGZPmNuJIeUsw2
Invasive Organisms – Plants, Insects, and Animals of Concern
Thursday, June 23, 2 – 4pm
Presented by Bullington Gardens
Steve Pettis, Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show, will discuss invasive organisms that threaten the Western North Carolina ecosystem.
Location: Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville
Cost: No charge
Registration: Required. Sign up at: www.bullingtongardens.org.
Pollinators: The Farmers Friend
Saturday, June 25, 8am – noon
Presented by The Mills River Farmers Market
Vendors at the market will explain how pollinators are essential to their business. The Demonstration Kitchen will explore the benefits of pollinators in their recipe for Pollinator Week. Kids’ Zone will have honey bee activities, stories, and a make-n-take. The Bee City USA – Hendersonville booth will host Elle Travis, Caregivers of Mother Earth, and Loretta Zedella, Butterfly Flight Wings, as well as gardening information and free seed packets while supplies last.
Location: Mills River Farmers Market, Mills River Elementary School, 94 School House Road, Mills River
Cost: no charge to attend
Nature Walk and Talk: Bees and Beekeeping
Saturday, June 25, 10 – 11:30am
Presented by The Park at Flat Rock
Park volunteer and beekeeper Will Garvey will discuss what the park does for bees, and what bees do for the park. Learn how the wildflower meadow, pollinator garden, native bees, and beehives work together to create healthy ecosystems. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Location: The Park at Flat Rock, 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock
Cost: no charge to attend
Pollinator Exploration Kit (Available for Loan) June 1-30
Presented by Bee City USA- Hendersonville and Bullington Gardens
For educators: teachers, camp counselors, home-school parents, childcare professionals, summer program leaders, and more, the Pollinator Exploration Kit provides excellent tools. Bee City USA – Hendersonville is eager to help you share the wonder of pollinators with children you teach. The kit includes sets of 12 sturdy child-size insect nets, special bug capture bubbles, bug boxes with magnifying lids, and magnifying glasses. Two pop-up insect habitats and two sets of laminated fold-out field guides (NC Trees & Wildflowers, NC Butterflies & Moths, Bees & Other Pollinators) are also included. The kit can be loaned for up to a week (as available) and
may be picked up and returned weekdays 9am-4pm.
Pick-up location: Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville.
Cost: no charge
Reservation needed: contact beecityhendersonville@gmail.com to check availability and reserve the dates to borrow the Pollinator Exploration Kit.
Self-Guided Pollinator Trail Tour – Ongoing Self-Guided Tour
Presented by Bee City USA – Hendersonville
The Pollinator Trail Tour rambles across Henderson County to eco-friendly gardens, scenic green spaces, working farms, and other destinations that highlight the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Download the trail guide at:
https://bullingtongardens.org/bee-city-usa-hendersonville/bee-city-usa-hendersonville-pollinator-trail/
Locations: Multiple locations throughout Henderson County.
Cost: No charge
Pollinator events are also scheduled in Asheville. Visit
https://www.ashevillegreenworks.org/10th-anniversary-yearlong-pollination-celebration.html to learn more. # # #
