Field Day for Gardeners & Homeowners

The annual Field Day for gardeners and homeowners will focus on “Backyard Wildlife: the Good, the Bad and the Misunderstood” . New this year is a hands-on activity that will give participants a chance to make and take home either a bird house or a nest box for mason bees.  Families are encouraged to attend.
 
Speakers include Dr. Patricia Delwiche, who teaches environmental biology at Kishwaukee College, Malta, Ill., and Jeff and Jane Breuer, whose activities as Master Gardeners have included a project to enable gardening for those confined to wheel chairs, and many other volunteer hours logged in the community.  

The Field Day will begin with Dr. Delwiche’s presentation, providing an overview of the role of insects and birds in the ecosystem and then focus on affordable and sustainable practices to encourage their activity.The Breuers will follow with a presentation on wildlife and insect pests that can frustrate a gardener and reduce yield. They will provide information to help gardeners and homeowners identify the source of the problem and determine a safe remedy which may include fencing, repellant, trapping, relocating, etc. 

Following the presentations, workshop attendees will have an opportunity to make a simple bird house or mason bee nest box to take home.  Door prizes and refreshments will be provided.