Birds and bees, and butterflies, too

MOIESE — The National Bison Range invites the public to attend a Discovery Workshop at the Refuge on Saturday, June 30, 2007. The workshop is part of the celebration of National Pollinator Week, designated June 24-30.

You may think they only bite, sting and pester, but insects are an important part of our everyday lives. According to the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign, one out of every three bites of food we eat is the result of a pollinator. Native pollinators include beautiful butterflies and zippy hummingbirds as well as rotund bees and pesky flies. Participants will learn to identify some of our helpful natives and look at ways to provide habitat for them in our own backyards. Ever built a birdhouse? Well, here's your chance to build a bee house!

In addition to our native pollinators, participants will learn about insects that help with controlling weeds. The National Bison Range has been using biological control on weeds since the late 1940's, with some good success stories. We will identify some common noxious weeds, such as toadflax and thistle, as well as look for their control insects.

Teachers are eligible to receive OPI credit for attending the workshop. All participants must be registered to attend. For more information, contact Pat Jamieson at the National Bison Range by writing 58355 Bison Range Road, Moiese, MT 59824, calling 406/644-2211 extension 207, or emailing pat_jamieson@fws.gov.

Please join us at the National Bison Range to celebrate the diversity of insects, their importance to our everyday lives, and how we can help them.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. For more information, visit the Service home page at www.fws.gov.