In a spring Wild Ones lecture on bees, Professor Rufus Isaacs informed us of the third annual festival at the Michigan State University Horticulture Gardens called Bee Palooza. In celebration of National Pollinator Week, this all-ages festival celebrates the roles pollinators play in our world. Today I was able to attend with my sister and two nephews in tow. We had so much fun!

There were seven different stations to visit throughout the gardens, each having information on pollinators. Afterward I asked my 8 year old nephew what he thought were the more interesting highlights I could document here. He readily sat down and discussed them with me.

Fun Facts About Bees

• 40% of bees build their home underground.
• Bees use the size of their heads to choose homes. This is why bee hotels have different sized openings.

• Leaf cutter bees are a larger species of bee.
• There are about 400 species of bees in Michigan.
• One in three bites of food is the result of pollination!

• Some flies pretend to be bees.
• Male bumblebees don’t have stingers.

• Bee keepers can feed the bees sugar water and pollen pellets.

A New Appreciation of Pollinators

We were allowed to take a couple male bumble bees home from the festival. All of us huddled around as the bees were released and buzzed off over the flowerbeds. We chatted about all the cool things we learned today and just how wonderful and important bees are to have around.  I am so happy the boys came along to experience the festival and gain a new appreciation for pollinators.