Date/Time
Date(s) - September 28, 2016
10:30 am - 1:00 pm

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The Capitol Square Review and Advisory Board in partnership with Keep Ohio Beautiful will celebrate the power of pollinators to support nature and agriculture as part of Keep Ohio Beautiful Day at the Ohio Statehouse. The event will also will commemorate Keep Ohio Beautiful’s 30th anniversary as a Keep America Beautiful Affiliate. A variety of activities are planned at the Ohio Statehouse, including planting an Ohio Native Pollinator Garden, designed by scientists at The Davey Tree Expert Co. In addition to attracting a variety of pollinators, this garden will provide nectar sources for the beehive on the Statehouse grounds.

Keep Ohio Beautiful Day celebrates the value and power of native species in restoring ecological balance to the environment while creating greener, more beautiful communities.

The event will be kicked off by an interactive pollinator educational program with students from Annehurst Elementary (Westerville) presented by senior entomologists from Scotts Miracle-Gro. Following the presentation, Senator Bob Peterson will read to the first and second grade students. A program with remarks from representatives of the participating organizations is scheduled to begin at 11:15 a.m.

The species included in the native pollinator garden were carefully selected by Ken Christenson, senior biologist for Davey Resource Group and Tamra Ansel, assistant deputy director for grounds with CSRAB. The design plan and herbaceous plants were donated by Davey.

High school students from the Knox County Career Center Landscape Design and Management Program, and organizations from throughout the state will be on hand to educate attendees about native plants, pollinators and related subjects. In the case of inclement weather, the location will be moved to the Ohio Statehouse Rotunda. The event is free and open to the public.

About Pollinators                   

–          In the U.S., pollination by honey bees, native bees and other insects produces $40 billion worth of products annually.

–          Pollinators are responsible for one of every three bites of food we take.

–          Many pollinators are listed on the federal endangered species list due to evidence of their disappearance in natural areas.

–          Homeowners can support pollinators by growing attractive, easy-care native plants such as white fringe tree (Chionanthus virginicus), sourwood tree (Oxydendrum arboreum), sweet pepper shrub (Clethra alnifolia), maple leaf viburnum (Viburnum acerifolium), butterfly weed (Asclepias tuberosa), and blazing star (Liatris spicata).