A honeybee collects pollen from a flower. Bees can fly up to two miles away from their hives to gather pollen and nectar, and many plant species depend on bees for pollination.
A honeybee collects pollen from a flower. Bees can fly up to two miles away from their hives to gather pollen and nectar, and many plant species depend on bees for pollination.
THE GORGE — OSU Hood River Extension Central Gorge Master Gardeners invite home gardeners and nature lovers to the August installment of the Garden Gathering series: Pollinators and Native Plants in the Home Garden. This free and informative workshop will explore the essential relationship between pollinators and native plants, and how gardeners can support both in their home landscapes.
Pollinators such as bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and even fruit bats play a vital role in food production and healthy ecosystems. Roughly 25% of our food crops depend on pollinators. Unfortunately, pollinator populations are in decline due to habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and other environmental stresses.
This presentation will explain why pollinators are essential, what's threatening them, and how home gardeners can help. Participants will learn how to design landscapes with native plants that provide food, shelter, and nesting sites for pollinators, no matter the size of the garden.
Bonus: Attendees at the Saturday session will receive a guided tour of the on-site pollinator garden, offering real-life inspiration and practical ideas to take home.
Two sessions of the Garden Gathering Pollinators and Native Plants in the Home Garden workshop will be led by Master Gardeners Anne Gehrig and Sandy Montag, who also steward the Pollinator Garden located on the OSU Extension campus:
Saturday, Aug. 9, 10 a.m. at OSU Hood River County Extension, 2990 Experiment Station Drive, Hood River
Tuesday, Aug. 12, 6:30 p.m. at the White Salmon Library, 77 NE Wauna Ave., White Salmon
"Pollinators are the unsung heroes of our gardens," says Anne Gehrig, workshop instructor. "By planting native species, we create critical habitat that supports biodiversity and strengthens our local ecosystems."
OSU Hood River County Extension Central Gorge Master Gardeners welcome home gardeners of all abilities to attend the Garden Gathering series of monthly educational workshops. These free presentations will be held each month through October 2025 and are designed to be interactive and aid in your growth as a gardener.
Garden Gathering workshops are listed on the Central Gorge Master Gardener website, centralgorgemga.org, find us on Facebook and Instagram @centralgorgemastergardeners, and in the Columbia Gorge News print and online editions.
CGMGA is a non-profit educational organization that helps to promote the OSU Extension Master Gardener Program and provides opportunities for additional educational training throughout the year.
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