Dr. John M. Mola, Assistant Professor of Ecology at Colorado State University in Ft. Collins, will headline the Colorado Honeybee Festival at Cross Orchards Historic Site on Saturday, April 11 at 12 Noon in the barn.
The free Honeybee Festival will open at 10 am and close at 4 pm. Cross Orchards Farm is located at 3073 F Road (Patterson) in Grand Junction.
Entitled “Bee Cool,” Mola’s presentation will explore the science behind pollinators and simple ways communities can help protect the future of our crops and landscapes. Mola defines pollinators as bees, butterflies, other insects and birds, all which account for roughly 30% of global food production.
According to Mola, Colorado alone is home to over 1,000 native bee species. His research specialty is pollinator ecology with a focus on diversity, behavior and conservation of bees and other pollinators who are threatened by habitat loss, climate change, pesticides and disease.
“Pollinators are the small, but mighty, foundation of our ecosystems,” says Michelle Gossage, Festival Coordinator. “Having a researcher of Dr. Mola’s caliber join the Colorado Honeybee Festival underscores the growing momentum behind pollinator education and conservation, not just locally, but across the state. This festival started as a community celebration of bees. It has become a platform to connect science, educators, school children, agriculture and ordinary people all over Colorado.”
While other festivals are geared to beekeepers and commercial interests, the Colorado Honeybee Festival has always and will continue to be focused on informing and promoting what individuals can do to help protect bees and other pollinators.
Key elements of the Honeybee Festival will be the same, including live music by Slim Pickins’, John Mola’s lecture “Bee Cool”, Chef’s Demonstration, Best Bee Costume Contest, Spelling Bee, free train rides, food trucks and a large variety of vendor booths. A few surprises about additional activities offered may be announced in the next couple of weeks.
The Colorado Honeybee Festival will run round trip shuttle bus circuits from Cross Orchards Historic Site to and from Grand Mesa Middle School, Crossroads United Methodist Church and Grande River Vineyards Winery in Palisade for the convenience of those attending. Onsite parking will also be available at Cross Orchards Historic Site.