COLRAIN — Residents who are interested in supporting pollinators are invited to join the Colrain Pollinator Project on Sunday, July 27, for a biodiversity presentation and meadow walk.
The Colrain Pollinator Project, a community group formed following the publication of the Franklin Regional Council of Governments’ Regional Pollinator Plan, is welcoming folks to Kendra and Allan Daniel’s property for an educational discussion and walk, as the group continues to promote biodiversity.
The free event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Registration is required and participants will be emailed the address when they sign up. To register, visit bit.ly/3GMOlD4. Refreshments will be served.
Elizabeth Erickson, an organizer with the Colrain Pollinator Project, said the event is an opportunity for those who are passionate about pollinators to learn more about biodiversity, native plants and techniques to use that information for their home gardens.
“We knew about this family who had a big meadow in the hills of Colrain, and they were approached and excited about hosting this event because their whole idea with this meadow is to encourage biodiversity,” Erickson explained. “We’ve been teaming up with these people and are excited to present this.”
The event’s speaker will be Amy Meltzer, co-chair of the Mass Pollinator Network and an active member of Grow Native Massachusetts. Meltzer will focus her presentation on the biodiversity crisis, the evolutionary history of the ecosystem and how the interdependent relationships among diverse species are necessary for survival. She will also highlight how native plants and ecological landscape practices can reverse biodiversity loss, increase landscape resilience and slow climate change.
Erickson said this event is a continuation of the work the Colrain Pollinator Project has undertaken since it formed in late 2023. Other projects include the Colrain Pollinator Garden on Jacksonville Road, which was created to provide homes for native pollinator species, and the creation of a new pollinator garden at the Town Offices.
“We’re doing all we can for the bugs and bees,” she said.
She added that the Franklin Conservation District, which has worked alongside the Colrain Pollinator Project, offers free educational resources for residents, as well as free one-hour design consultations to convert a lawn into a pollinator-friendly space. For more information, visit franklinconservationdistrict.org/native-plants-projects.
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com.