Bee and Insect Habitat Installed in Children's Garden

A new Bee and Insect Habitat was installed by Mary and Doug Golla at the Van Hoosen Farm Children's Garden on March 20.  Inspired by Mary, a member of the Rochester Garden Club, the habitat was designed and built by Doug.  The structure contains materials that will attract beneficial insects, such as pollinators and solitary bees (the kind that rarely sting!) to nest in the garden.  The oval habitat in the top section of the structure is provided for mason bees - a peaceful species thought to be a more productive pollinator t the honeybee.  "Most people think of bees as living in colonies, making honey in big hives", said Jane Giblin, past club president and Master Gardener.  "In fact, most native bees nest in the ground or in hollow stems.  They have co-evolved with native plants to become efficient pollinators of these plants so it is important to provide habitat for our native bees". This new addition will be an interesting and educational tool for both children and adults to learn more about the valuable residents that assist the growth and development of plants in a garden.