N.C. Botanical Garden offers series of pollinator events

The N.C. Botanical Garden is presenting a series of events starting June 15 examining the benefits of pollinators and their future.

The four-month exhibit features 29 events, including displays, workshops, tours, discussions and classes related to pollinators, which include bees, flies, butterflies, moths and birds.

The series kicks off with a free lecture at 7 p.m. June 18 with Johnny Randall, the botanical garden’s director of conservation programs, about the scientific study of pollination ecology and what we can do to encourage pollinator health. Other events include:

▪ Native bee exhibit opens June 15 at the garden’s Allen Education Center. It will emphasize the special importance of bees as pollinators, the amazing diversity of bees in North Carolina, ways to encourage nesting in gardens and public spaces, as well as much more. Free.

▪ Chapel Hill-based photographer John Pringle’s photos of native flowering plants, wildlife and insects will be on display at the garden’s DeBerry Art Gallery Sept. 1-Nov. 1. Free.

▪ A pollinator hike 10 a.m.-noon Aug. 8 led by Brian Bockhahn, interpretation and education specialist with the N.C. State Parks. Free, but preregistration is required.

▪ A two-part lecture on Sept. 27 featuring co-authors Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy, who wrote “Living Landscape: Designing for Beauty & Biodiversity in the Home Garden.” The lecture is 2-4:45 p.m. A book signing will be 1-1:45 p.m. The event is free, but preregistration is required.

▪ The garden’s fall plant sale will be 5-7 p.m. Oct. 2 for members, and 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 3 for the public.

For a complete schedule, go to ncbg.unc.edu/pollinators/.

Classes at N.C. State Craft Center

The N.C. State University Craft Center offers classes to the public; several still have space available. Here are a few:

▪ Beginning Crochet, 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesdays (June 30-July 28); instructor Azlyn Arnett; $70.

▪ Jewelry class: Setting Odd-Shaped Stones, 6:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays (July 8-29); instructor Linda Searcy; $67 plus a materials fee of $25-$50.

▪ Urban Photography, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. June 13; instructor Gary Knight; $59.

Info: 919-515-2457, ncsu.edu/crafts/index.html

Home Depot offers DIY classes

The home improvement store chain offers free workshops each weekend.

Here is a sample of a upcoming workshops at Wake County stores: Learn to Install a Toilet, 10-11:30 a.m. June 13; Learn to Install a Faucet, 1-2:30 p.m. June 14; Install Tile Flooring, 1-2:30 p.m. June 21; and Learn Interior Paint and Drywall Repair, 10-11:30 a.m. June 27.

Check individual stores for class schedules: workshops.homedepot.com.

This story was originally published June 3, 2015 at 3:54 PM with the headline "N.C. Botanical Garden offers series of pollinator events."