Do you know that Hillsborough, NC is the 35th Bee City USA? The Hillsborough Garden Club was instrumental in encouraging our Town to apply to become a Bee City affiliate and we support ongoing pollinator conservation and education through many activities of our club, such as maintenance of the Downtown Pollinator Gardens behind the restaurants, Downtown Planters, Turnip Patch Pollinator Garden, and writing monthly educational articles for the Buzzin’ Around feature in News of Orange. We also take a leadership role in coordinating the annual Pollinator Week celebration along the Tree Board, Downtown Merchants, nonprofit groups and others. This year we will celebrate virtually the many contributions of pollinators through this website and our Facebook page  https://www.facebook.com/Hillsborough-Garden-Club-2223954717864584/.  

 

As a Bee City, Hillsborough takes a leadership stance by supporting bees, butterflies, moths and other pollinator insects and animals through sustainable management practices on town property and  by encouraging citizens to protect these valuable contributors to our ecosystem and food supply. Bee City USA is an affiliate of the international Xerces Society. Learn more at https://www.hillsboroughnc.gov/government/advisory-boards/tree-board/bee-city-usa/.

 

Each day during Pollinator Week the Hillsborough Garden Club will post on our Facebook page new resources and links for you to learn about pollinators and have fun! Find out how many eyes a bee has, how to make a bee watering station, hand puppets, honey recipes, cool videos and more!

 

Please note that many of these links are sponsored sites with ads. The Hillsborough Garden Club does not endorse any businesses or products that may be mentioned.

 

Download a bee coloring sheet from our website www.hillsboroughgardenclubnc.org to play I Spy a Bee. Color the bee outline and post in your window for others to “spy.” It can be a non- contact neighborhood competition.  Also find pollinator art projects, bee learning workbooks, honey recipes  and other resources. The pollinators section on this site has great resources of interest to gardeners.

 

Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/Hillsborough-Garden-Club-2223954717864584/. Check out our Events. Every day of pollinator week we will post new links, videos, links and fun activities, You can also upload photos or drawings inspired by bees, butterflies and other pollinators to our Facebook page. When viewing bees and other wildlife, keep a respectful distance.

 

In addition, we have arranged free seed distribution for Wildflower of the Year 2020 Wild Geranium (Geranium maculatum). Seeds will be available at Gro Smart on S. Churton St. and Randy’s Farm and Garden on Hwy. 86 North at Walnut Grove Rd. May 31-June 6. Seeds were donated by the North Carolina Botanical Garden. Supplies are limited.

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This information will be posted on the Town website, News of Orange Word on the Street and has been sent to members of the Chamber of Commerce, many of whom have been active partners in prior Pollinator Week celebrations. If you have a church, book club or other email contact group, please send to them, as well.

 

Thanks for any assistance you can provide in pointing people toward this website www.hillsboroughgardenclubnc.org as well as our Facebook page

https://www.facebook.com/Hillsborough-Garden-Club-2223954717864584/. While you are at it, like both of these. It makes a difference in getting attention outside our group, which we need to spread our message.

 

Thanks on behalf of our Bee City Subcommittee, all of who have contributed to the planning and identification of resources: Dolly Hunnell, Karen MacAulay, Sue Waters, Ann Sebesan, Andrea Lewis, Penny Rand, and especially to Carol McCanna for extensive help with research.