SerpApi.Org
Plant It Wild announced its August program, Pollinators of Northern Michigan, will be presented by Emily Umbarger at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 19, at Mills Community House, 891 Michigan Ave. in Benzonia and on Zoom. The program explores the diverse pollinators of Northern Michigan and their essential roles in local ecosystems. Examining the species that have co-evolved alongside native plants, reveals intricate ecological relationships shaped over time.
Participants will learn the fundamental mechanics of how pollination works, from pollen transfer to successful plant reproduction, and a wide range of pollinators—including native bees, bats, moths, flies, birds, beetles, and more—highlighting their unique contributions to biodiversity and environmental health.
Currently, Umbarger is the sustainability director and instructor of agricultural sciences at Interlochen Center for the Arts where she has spent the past 16 years. During her tenure at Interlochen, she has been instrumental in bringing about positive change in the world of sustainability on the institution’s campus, receiving numerous rigorous certifications for the school in the field of regenerative, sustainable and earth-friendly practices. In 2019, she led the institution through the U.S. Department of Education’s Green Ribbon School award, where they were awarded prestigious national recognition for advancements made in sustainability across campus.
She oversees the school’s campus-wide initiatives in composting, recycling, sustainability-related outreach, and community education, and manages the school’s R. B. Annis botanical laboratory and school garden complex. She has led her institution through the development of creating a Climate Action Plan 2028, implementing institution-wide goals and objectives in sustainability planning. Umbarger is a lover of the outdoors and nature.
To register for Zoom, join the Plant It Wild mailing list to automatically receive links for all programs at Plantitwild.net.
