BEEing Aware: Learning about and Nurturing Local Honey Bees & Pollinators for more Sustainable Agriculture.

Project Overview

YENC24-210
Project Type: Youth Educator
Funds awarded in 2024: $5,873.00
Projected End Date: 02/15/2026
Grant Recipient: The Edgerton Explorit Center
Region: North Central
State: Nebraska
Project Manager:
John Boeder
Email
The Edgerton Explorit Center
Project Co-Managers:
Mary Molliconi
Email
Edgerton Explorit Center

Information Products

Commodities

  • Animals: bees

Practices

  • Education and Training: demonstration, youth education
  • Natural Resources/Environment: habitat enhancement, wildlife

    Abstract:

    We will underscore the vital role of local honey bees and native pollinators in the global food system. By utilizing locally captured honey bee swarms in our curriculum, we aim to promote the value of native pollinators, renowned for their superior adaptation and survival, and teach how local hone bee health is tied to more efficient pollination and enhanced crop production. Our programs will showcase sustainable beekeeping practices that require minimal human intervention and reduce dependence on chemical treatments. By doing so, we intend to cultivate a new generation of eco-conscious agricultural stewards, contributing to a sustainable and resilient future.

    Project objectives:

    Conduct Summer Camp: Immerse 20 students in a week-long summer camp, exploring local pollinator species' roles in ecosystems and crop pollination.

    School Group Presentations: Deliver BEEing Aware to 20 school groups in 2024, educating 200-400 students on pollinator characteristics and sustainable bee production practices.

    Outreach Event: Host Super Science Saturday in August 2024, reaching 30-50 attendees to highlight pollinators' importance in agriculture and sustainable careers.

    Monarch Tagging: Engage 100 Aurora 3rd graders in hands-on Monarch tagging, fostering habitat awareness and pollinator stewardship.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and should not be construed to represent any official USDA or U.S. Government determination or policy.