"We need bees"

What: Public talk & demonstration on keeping bees
Where: White Salmon Library
Date: April 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.

"We need bees"

This presentation by several local beekeepers, gardeners and such will include several 20-minute presentations, starting with an intro slide show by Melissa Elliot, landscape designer and beekeeper.

Other topics covered will be:

*  'Importance of Pollinators' by Todd Murray entomologist from WSU Extension, Skamania County

* 'Honey bees and Mason Bees' by John Kraus, Underwood commercial beekeeper managing 700 colonies

* 'Plants for Pollinators' by Jeanette Burkhardt, a local gardener and beekeeping enthusiast.

* A demonstration on making grass skeps, by Joy Markgraf, of Husum. Skeps are domed, coiled baskets that were used to house bees as early as the 16th century up until World War II when they were abandoned in favor of woodenware. A selection of Joy's artistic and functional beehives will be on display at the library during the month of April. 

The library will have on hand a selection of books on honeybees and native pollinators to satisfy your interest on the subject. The Xerces Society will provide handouts about attracting native pollinators and a list of plants that are beneficial to them, and Ruhl Bee Supply is providing sample Mason bee houses and copies of their catalog. For those interested in starting a local beekeeping club Martha Kraus will gather names and information and David Ryan will inform people about the Master Gardeners program.