PRESS RELEASE

City of Woodland

300 First Street

The City of Woodland and the Rec2Go program is hosting a BioBlitz event for the month of September at Woodland’s city parks as part of the National Parks for Pollinators campaign. The BioBlitz is aimed at raising public awareness around the importance of pollinators and positioning parks as national leaders in advancing pollinator health. As a designated Bee City, the City of Woodland envisions a sustainable future for our pollinator friends. Woodland is home to a large variety of pollinators, and by joining the hands of agriculture, parks services, and community members, we can all ensure that the hundreds of species of pollinators continue to thrive in our Bee City.

Organized by the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA) and The Scotts Miracle-Gro Foundation, the Parks for Pollinators BioBlitz event is held annually during the month of September. Pollinators are a vital component of our ecosystem and an essential link to the world’s food supply. According to the White House’s Pollinators Health Task Force, during the last 30 years, the United States has seen a steady decline of pollinators (such as bees, bats, and butterflies) at an alarming rate of 30 percent annually — making it vital to take action on pollinator protection. This year, the City of Woodland is joining the NRPA and encouraging the Woodland community members to rise up to the challenge of raising awareness of all the pollinators in our communities, starting within our local parks.

Participation in the BioBlitz is a simple step to get involved in protecting pollinator health. To join the city’s efforts, download the free iNaturalist app, and search for our project, Parks 4 Pollinators: Woodland Community Services. After joining our project, start snapping photos of any pollinators you find in our local city parks and upload them with as much description as you are able. All observations of pollinators and pollinator-friendly plants are automatically added to our project and the national campaign to raise awareness of how important parks are to the wellbeing of our pollinators. For more information on the efforts of Woodland Community Services, and to follow along with our hunt for pollinators, join our Facebook event at http://bitly.ws/9BIt.