This community Event will take place over over the Spring and Summer in collaboration with The Ridgefield Park, Green Team, The Ridgefield Park Environmental Committee, ShopRite and StarNet.
Pollinating insects are the superstars of the insect world. Pollinating insects are incredibly important to our livelihood and our environment. Pollen has plant specific shapes and sizes, and a single bee will specialize in a few particular plant species. Approximately one out of three bites of food or beverages we consume is a direct cause of pollination. Without pollinators, we would not only lose a significant amount of food diversity and security, but our air and soil quality would decline as well. (Keesler, Christine, (n.d.) Retrieved from StarNet @ https://www.starnetlibraries.org/citizen-science-spotlight-pollinators/ )
Bees are said to be responsible for 80% of US crop pollination, including alfalfa and clover feed for livestock. The amount of honeybee colonies per hectare has declined 90% since 1962. Butterflies are also at risk to environmental factors and are bioindicators for pesticides and habitat loss. They pollinate plants, and also control plant spread in the caterpillar phase and become food to other species.
Because butterflies and bees are so well known, it is easy to find a citizen science opportunity. Activities to considered can be found at https://www.pollinator.org/pollinator-week/activities such as starting a pollinator Garden or seeing if one will be grown in Ridgefield Park's new Nature Center. Citizen Science Activity for this can be found https://www.pollinator.org/mpgcmap/mpgcsurvey
Books Owned or Purchased for the Events:
The Book of Bees: Inside the Hives and Lives of Honeybees, Bumblebees, Cuckoo Bees, and Other Busy Buzzers by Lela Nargi (February Cart)
Bugs in Danger: Our Vanishing Bees, Butterflies, and Beetles by Mark Kurlansky (January Cart)
Don't Eat Bees by Deve Petty (April Cart)
A Day in the Life of Bugs: What do Bees, Ants, and Dragonflies Get up to all Day? by Dr. Jessica Ware (March Cart)
La Tarea de llas abejas/The Task of the Bees by Lili Pog (January Cart)
Thank You, Bees by Marty Erickson (January 2022 Cart)
The Bee by Becky Han (January Cart)
Hello, Bee by Isable Otter [boardbook] (March Cart)
The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco (own)
The Beeman by Laurie Krebs (January Cart)
The Honeybee Man by Lela Nargi (January Cart)
The Life and Times of the Honeybee by Charles Micucci (own)
The Case of the Vanishing Honeybees: a scientific mystery by Sandra Markle
Credit: Why do we Need Bees? (2014, January 15). Retrieved from https://youtu.be/6CxCTyxRFh0
These programs are still in the developmental stages. They will run through the Spring and Summer at the library and the new Nature Center.
A storywalk at the Nature Center or the library using the picture book, Please Please the Bees by Gerald Kelley.
Citizen Science Club: In collaboration with StarNet, we will participate in a Citizen Science activity on Bees.
Preschool and Toddler Storytime: Story and activity on the importance of Bees and pollination.
ShopRite of Hackensack will provide a food demonstrate with honey. Erika, the registered dietitian will talk about the importance of honey. This will be done on Zoom and food will be distributed through the library to make the recipe at home.
STEM Club: Book and activity will be held both at the library and the Nature Center. Representatives from The Green Team/Environmental Committee will provide a discussion about pollinating insects and how incredibly important they are to our livelihood and our environment.
Adult Program: The adult program will encompass pollinating insects and how incredibly Important they are to our livelihood hosted by the Environmental Committee and Green Team. Venue: TBD
Possible Purchases:
Life Cycle of a Honey Bee: Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Safari-Safariology-Life-Cycle-Honey/dp/B004JDJ9S8 $17.29
Save the Bees Bracelet Activity Kit. (Nature Watch) $1.75 each. Ages 4 and above.
Beehive Project Activity Book. (Nature watch). Activities.
Honeycomb Candle Activity Kit: For ages 4 and above. $1.75 each. (Nature Watch)
Resources:
Nature Watch Catalog of STEM kits: https://www.nature-watch.com/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-fDVjIHS9AIVjx-tBh2AtglxEAAYASAAEgJjs_D_BwE Page 19. "Save the bees
Keystone Plants: Native plants that support butterfly and moth larvae and Soft Landing: Diverse Native Plantings (shelter and habitat for for one or more life cycle stages of moths, butterflies, etc.:
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