Wright Patt: Pollinator Expo celebrates base as a Bee City USA

Local Wright Bee Flyers pollinate the Huffman Prairies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Bees are vital to the pollination process of producing fruits, vegetables and nuts but due to disease, lack of land to forage on and exposures to pesticides, over the last few decades, there has been a significant decline in the bee population. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)

Local Wright Bee Flyers pollinate the Huffman Prairies at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Bees are vital to the pollination process of producing fruits, vegetables and nuts but due to disease, lack of land to forage on and exposures to pesticides, over the last few decades, there has been a significant decline in the bee population. (U.S. Air Force photo/Michelle Gigante)

To celebrate Wright-Patterson Air Force Base becoming a Bee City USA, a Pollinator Expo will be held June 21 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wright Brothers Memorial, 2380 Memorial Road, Area B.

The event is open to the public and will kick off with a reading of the Bee City USA resolution by Rebecca Westlake, 88th Air Base Wing vice director.

The expo will include live demonstration hives, demonstrations by beekeepers, food trucks and such family-friendly activities as free face painting and children’s hands-on activities.

The alternate date for the expo, in case of inclement weather, will be June 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wright-Patterson AFB will be the first military installation to be designated as a Bee City USA.

Bees, also known as pollinators, are vital to the pollination process of a third of the food people consume such as fruits, vegetables and nuts. Due to disease, lack of land to forage on and exposures to pesticides, over the last few decades there has been a significant decline in the bee population.

For additional information on Bee City USA and how to help, go online to beecityusa.org.

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