Pollination:
Close Encounters of the Pollinating Kind

This is an ELECTIVE course and provides 4 hours toward the completion of the Certificate in Native Plants program.

This class will focus on understanding the interactions between native plants and insect pollinators. We will discuss the mechanisms of pollination, including how pollinators choose which plants to visit. You will learn about insect biodiversity in the Eastern US and how to identify some of the common native pollinator species in the region. Additionally, we will discuss why native plants are a critical resource for supporting declining insect biodiversity and how to create a pollinator-friendly habitat in your own community.

Instructor:  Emily Erikson, PhD

Emily is a postdoctoral researcher in the Department of Entomology at the Pennsylvania State University. Her doctoral thesis was concerned with describing the interactions between insect pollinator communities and cultivated ornamental plants. She has a deep interest in ecological gardening and using native plants to design landscapes in gardens and parks that will support and build resilient ecological communities.

Registration Policy:  All registrations must be completed online, using PayPal or a credit card.  As with all Certificate in Native Plants classes, class size is limited.  To give everyone the best opportunity to participate, there is a non-refundable cancellation fee of $10, with the balance refunded if you cancel at least 7 calendar days before the class will be held. The last day to register is the Wednesday before the class. If the class is cancelled by the instructor or the CNP program, registrants will get a full refund.