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Pollinator party at the Gardens
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Parents and children came to Fellows Riverside Gardens on June 19 learn about pollinators for National Pollinator's Week. Pictured, from left, are Molly, Annabel and Henry Walsh walking around the garden.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Volunteer Linda Biggs (left) and Rainy Linden came to Family Fun Friday on June 19 to learn about the areas pollinators for Pollinator Week.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Children got to learn about local pollinators at Fellows Riverside Garden for National Pollinator's Week. Pictured, from front left going clockwise, are Rosie Matthes, Clara Matthes and Sydney Disibio by the growing gardens planted by both volunteers and children.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Coraline (left) and Meredith Wakefield worked on butterfly crafts for Family Fun Friday at Fellows Riverside Gardens on June 19. The craft was themed to fit the celebration of National Pollinator's Week.
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Neighbors | Amanda Tonoli.Guest Gregory Stanko (right) brought in some of his butterfly collection to educate children about those in the area and the positive pollination affect they have on nature.
By amanda tonoli
Fellows Riverside Gardens celebrated National Pollinator Week on June 19. The event was incorporated into Family Fun Fridays themed events, welcoming children and parents for activities, education and treats.
“We are studying all different types of pollinators, but specifically butterflies,” said Lori Mowad, Mill Creek MetroPark educator and leader of Family Fun Fridays.
Children got to study highly pollinated flowers and even plant some in the garden.
Lemonade was provided as a treat to demonstrate the way butterflies pollinate and obtain nectar.
“They’re practicing sipping like a butterfly,” Mowad said.
Another station during the vent was the caterpillar hunt in plants surrounding the Family Garden.
Greg Stanko, a butterfly and moth expert who collects the specimens to study, was invited to share his expertise. He set up a display for National Pollinator Week and joined Family Fun Fridays to educate students about the insect.
“On display, we have about 20,000 specimens,” Stanko said. “Most are represented by what you can find here in Ohio, especially Mahoning County.”
Stanko said he found it important to educate people about how many different kinds of butterflies and moths can be found in the area.
“We probably have about 38 species of butterflies locally,” Stanko said.
Ever since he was young, Stanko had an interest in butterflies – it ran in his family. His grandfather was a biologist and his brother also collects butterflies for scientific purposes. Stanko instilled that this was for scientific reasons, not decorative, for they were all against that.
“It’s pretty much to be aware of what you have in your own backyard,” Stanko said. “It’s really cool, especially with the moths, you can’t really appreciate the variation that there actually is.”