KOSCIUSKO COUNTY — To assist landowners with pollinator plantings, an early-evening workshop is set for 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 28, at Koinonia Nature Preserve, 6170 S 650 E, Pierceton.

This workshop will focus on how to start with a pollinator planting and will cover site selection, site preparation, and species selection. A follow-up workshop is being planned for this fall at a well-established pollinator planting.

There have been major reductions in pollinator species and one of the reasons is the loss of natural habitat across the United States and around the world. There have been reductions in the number of honey bees, monarch butterflies, song birds and many other important pollinators.

Landowners can help by planting areas of native wildflowers, including species that have different bloom times, different colors and different sizes and shapes. This will help in the diversity of the pollinators that will make use of the area. Native plants can be found at local green houses or in the form of seeds on the internet.

Some varieties to look for are: Butterfly milkweed, brown-eyed susan, New England aster, blue wild indigo and yellow coneflower. There are many other plants that can be used.

For more information on this workshop, contact the Kosicusko County Soil and Water Conservation District office at (574) 267-7445 ext. 3 or watch for updates on the SWCD website.