Press Releases

Second Pollinator Protection Plan public forum will be Wednesday in Bowling Green

FRANKFORT (July 12, 2016) — The second public forum on the Kentucky Pollinator Protection Plan will take place from 7-9 p.m. CDT Wednesday, July 13 at the Warren County Cooperative Extension Office, 3132 Nashville Road in Bowling Green.

State Apiarist Dr. Tammy Horn Potter and her team at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture (KDA) will host the meeting. There is no cost to attend. “I encourage all beekeepers and anyone else interested in honey bees or native pollinators to attend this important forum,” Agriculture Commissioner Ryan Quarles said. “Dr. Horn and her team are receptive to comments by the public on ways to improve the plan.”

Horn asks those planning to attend to read the current draft of the plan on the KDA website at https://www.kyagr.com/statevet/documents/OSV_Bee_KY-Pollinator-Pro-Plan-2016.pdf.

“This forum is not simply a repeat of the first one,” Horn said. “After reviewing the current draft of the plan, we will provide updates to success metrics and solicit public input. We are considering assessments and want to consider the public’s ideas for how this plan can be executed successfully.”

The forum will feature a PowerPoint presentation showcasing the four main goals of the plan: best management plans, increased pollinator habitat plantings, better communication, and more education/outreach. The first Pollinator Protection Plan forum was held Feb. 24 in Frankfort.

Wednesday’s forum will precede the 15th annual Heartland Apiculture Society Conference Thursday through Saturday at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green. For more information, go to http://www.heartlandbees.org.