University of Idaho To Host Pollinator Summit Next Week

The University of Idaho will hold a Pollinator Summit February 26^th-27^th in Moscow.  The two day event will focus the status and history of pollinators, as well as their habitats, and even efforts to sustain them.

Organized by UI Extension, the summit will address issues facing pollinators and the screening of pollinator films at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 26 at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre at 508 S. Main St., Moscow.  U of I College of Agricultural and Life Sciences Dean Michael Parrella will talk during the Wednesday program about the importance of pollinators and the issues facing them.

Events Thursday, Feb. 27, will be held from 1:30-6 p.m. at the Latah County Fairgrounds and Events Center at 2021 Harold St., Moscow.  Thursday’s agenda will include presentations by Pamela Brunsfeld, U of I Stillinger Herbarium retired collection manager and botany instructor, and Ron McPeak, San Diego Natural History Museum entomology department associate.

McPeak is an expert on West Coast scarab beetles from Baja to the Pacific Northwest. He collected scarab beetles throughout the world in his spare time curing his career as a marine biologist, professional diver and underwater photographer.  McPeak recently donated 13,000 specimens of exotic scarabs to the U of I agricultural college’s William F. Barr Entomological Museum collection. Some of the most spectacular specimens will be on display during the afterschool program.

Idaho and Washington pesticide applicator education credits will be available for Wednesday and Thursday’s sessions.

The summit events will be free and open to the public.

More information and registration is available at latah@uidaho.edu or 208-883-2267. 

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