The Bowling Green Parks & Recreation Department is hosting a BioBlitz event as part of the national Parks for Pollinators campaign, which is aimed at raising public awareness of the importance of pollinators and positioning parks as national leaders in advancing pollinator health.
Organized by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz event is held during September.
Work at your leisure to advance the health of local pollinators, which are essential to our ecosystem. Participants are asked to download an app called iNaturalist and then take pictures of plants and pollinators present at Wintergarden Preserve/St. Johns Woods and Simpson Garden Park on Sept. 11-26, contributing to a scientific inventory of pollinator species within these parks.
Attendance at a program is not required to participate. For more information on participating at your leisure, contact Kaleigh Obrock at kobrock@bgohio.org.
Looking for another way to celebrate? Join the Bowling Green Parks and Recreation Department and the Wood County District Library for a Pollinator Palooza at Simpson Garden Park. As pollinators wrap up their activities for the season, attendees will listen to stories, participate in a hands-on activity and enjoy an educational tour of Simpson Garden Park. Meet in the amphitheater on Monday, Sept. 27, at 6:30 p.m.
Pollinators are a vital component of our ecosystem, and an essential link to the world’s food supply.
According to the White House’s Pollinators Health Task Force, during the last 30 years, the United States has seen a steady decline of pollinators (such as bees, bats and butterflies) at an alarming rate of 30% annually — making it vital to act on pollinator protection.
“Pollinators are critical for the health and wellbeing of our communities. Taking steps to protect our various pollinators has never been more important,” said Michele White, NRPA program manager of the Parks for Pollinator campaign.
Kristin Otley, the City’s Parks & Recreation Director, stated, “This information will help us understand how we can better protect pollinators and other important wildlife in our community. We can use this information when planning for our park areas.”
“Research shows us that people want to take action and protect pollinator health, but oftentimes, they simply don’t know what to do,” said Carol Nowlin, corporate responsibility manager at Scotts Miracle-Gro. “A key piece of our partnership with NRPA is educating more community members, families and children on the steps they can take to support pollinators. And there’s no better location to do that than at their local park.”
To learn more about Parks for Pollinators, visit www.nrpa.org/parks4pollinators.
To learn more about the City’s BioBlitz, visit https://oh-bowlinggreen.civicplus.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=116
To participate at your leisure, contact Kaleigh Obrock at kobrock@bgohio.org
To learn more about NRPA, visit www.nrpa.org.
The National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) is the leading not-for-profit organization dedicated to building strong, vibrant and resilient communities through the power of parks and recreation. With more than 60,000 members, NRPA advances this mission by investing in and championing the work of park and recreation professionals and advocates — the catalysts for positive change in service of equity, climate-readiness, and overall health and well-being. For more information, visit www.nrpa.org. For digital access to NRPA’s flagship publication, Parks & Recreation, visit www.parksandrecreation.org.
