Cost: FREE

A dedicated group of volunteers has established an incredible native garden at the Marshall Library where numerous educational events will be held on May 31, starting at 10:00 with a presentation by Dr. April Boone about appreciating & supporting butterflies. Activities will end around 3:00.

At 12:30, Bee City USA-Asheville leaders, Florrie Funk and Virginia Currie, will guide a pollinator safari for families and kids. Who knows? They might even see tigers and zebras. Tiger and zebra swallowtail butterflies that is!

Instructors

Florrie Funk has served on the Leadership Committee of Bee City USA-Asheville for six years. She has had a lifelong love of wildflowers and wild places. She has spent the last thirty years learning about native ecosystems and working as a volunteer in nature education, citizen science projects, plant diversity restoration and removal of invasive species. Recently she has focused on native habitat gardening and photographing pollinators. She is of the opinion that in all creation, there are no insignificant pieces.

Virginia Currie is a lover of and an advocate for insects including pollinators. She maintains a native bee sanctuary in her back yard by providing a pesticide -free zone, nesting habitat, fresh water and native plants that bloom sequentially through the growing season. Virginia has expanded a safe corridor for pollinators in her neighborhood by sharing plants and creating pollinator gardens for curious and willing neighbors. She is eager to share her knowledge, experience and enthusiasm for how we can all contribute to species decline by taking action in our own backyards.

Photo of eastern tiger swallowtail butterfly by Bobbi Leoni