Last Saturday, Help Save the Bees Foundation had the pleasure of participating in the Nevada Museum of Art's Hands ON! Second Saturday program. This month's theme, Fruitful Summer, celebrated gardens, food, and the many connections between people and the natural world.
The event welcomed 676 visitors throughout the day, with an estimated 250–300 attendees during the two hours our booth was open. We were honored to share the day with Soulful Seeds, whose table was beside ours near the museum's beautiful new food forest, recently installed by landscape architect Tom Stille. It was the perfect backdrop for conversations about the essential role pollinators play in producing the fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds that nourish us every day.
Our honey bee observation hive was one of the day's biggest attractions. Children and adults alike are always fascinated to watch thousands of bees busily tending their business behind glass. Spotting the one queen bee among the hundreds of workers milling about is a fun game — which I was bested at more than once by the kids.
We also brought several emerging leafcutter bees, right on the verge of emerging from their cocoons. Many visitors told us they had seen native bee houses in parks, schools, and neighborhoods around Reno, but had never actually watched one of these gentle native pollinators emerge from its cocoon. Seeing that moment of new life helps people connect with an insect that is critical to our food chain, and our way of life.
We are grateful to the Nevada Museum of Art for including Help Save the Bees Foundation in this outstanding community event. We're especially grateful to Education Coordinator Taylor Hunt for her warm welcome and for creating opportunities like Hands ON! that connect families with science, art, and the natural world. We look forward to returning for future events.
Folks gathering at our table at the NV Museum of Art
If you attended the event and stopped by our table, thank you for spending time with us. We hope you'll continue looking for pollinators in your own backyard, neighborhood, or favorite park. Every flower planted, every pesticide avoided, and every conversation shared helps create a healthier future for pollinators—and for all of us.
Ray Hopper, Secretary, HSBF