A growing number of our community members live in neighborhoods with Homeowners Associations, covenants, or deed restrictions.

With a little creativity and a lot of love for our insect neighbors, these spaces can be transformed into havens for pollinators! In this webinar, Xerces Society staff Aaron Anderson and Jacqueline Buenrostro will discuss the many ways we can support the amazing invertebrates within HOA communities, with tips, tricks, and new resources to share for creating and maintaining habitat that is “HOA-ready.”

Join this webinar to learn more: Allies in Conservation: Making Your HOA a Haven for Pollinators

Tuesday, Oct. 6 : 11 AM PT

Register

This webinar will be recorded and available on the Xerces YouTube channel on the Bee City USA Playlist. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact outreach@xerces.org.

Presenters:

Aaron Anderson: Pesticide Program Specialist, Towns and Cities Lead
Xerces Society

Aaron Anderson works with the public and Xerces staff to reduce pesticide use in residential landscapes, including promoting alternative pest control measures and pollinator-friendly gardening practices. Prior to joining Xerces in 2022, he researched pollinator conservation in urban landscapes, restored habitat for several endangered butterfly species, and worked in insect biocontrol. In 2021 he was an AAAS Mass Media Fellow at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, where he reported science and business stories. Aaron has a PhD from Oregon State University, and outside of work you can probably find him riding his bike, science writing, or fiddling with old cameras.

Jacqueline Buenrostro: Pesticide Program Specialist, Urban Policy Lead Xerces Society

Jacqueline works with Xerces partners and community leaders to reduce pesticide use in towns, cities, and campuses through strategic outreach and policy action. Prior to joining the Xerces Society, Jacqueline worked with local governments in Colorado and Florida to enhance their integrated pest and pollinator management, promote biological control, and reduce reliance on pesticides. Her greatest passion is working directly with community members and decision makers to protect the invertebrate life that sustains us.

Jacqueline holds a Master of Science in entomology from Colorado State University. When she is not advocating for invertebrates, you can find her hiking through the forest or recreating nature's beauty in stained glass.

Join the Vancouver Bee Project as we care for a local pollinator garden!

In partnership with the City of Vancouver’s Naturespaces program, VBP is committed to caring for this unique pollinator garden.

With a mix of native and pollinator beneficial blooms, it is a great stop over site for pollinators in the local area. But we do grow weeds well here, so it is time to reclaim some space for the flower blooms. Bring some gloves and digging tools and be apart of this amazing community.

Light refreshments provided.

No registration necessary, just show up!

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for the opening of our 2026 Native Plant & Seed Library

Stop by to pick up free native plants, seeds, and resources to help create habitat for native bees and other pollinators in your yard, patio, school, or community. Whether you're new to native plants or already growing a pollinator garden, everyone is welcome!

Help us put science into action and grow more native habitat throughout our community. Plants and seeds are available while supplies last.

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for the opening of our 2026 Native Plant & Seed Library

Stop by to pick up free native plants, seeds, and resources to help create habitat for native bees and other pollinators in your yard, patio, school, or community. Whether you're new to native plants or already growing a pollinator garden, everyone is welcome!

Help us put science into action and grow more native habitat throughout our community. Plants and seeds are available while supplies last.

Clark County WA Public Works

Join us from 9 to 11:30 am, Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Curtin Springs Wildlife Habitat to build garden boxes for the community pollinator garden!

This event is open to volunteers aged 13 years or older.

• What to Wear: Event will happen rain or shine. Please wear closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather. There are no public restrooms at the park.

• Food and Water: Bring a reusable water bottle and snacks for the day. 

• What to Bring: All tools will be supplied by Clark County Public Works.

• Project Description:  We’ll be building wooden boxed garden beds and installing them in the pollinator garden. The garden boxes will keep grass from growing into the flower beds. Be prepared to dig with a hand shovel, use a measuring tape and handle a power screwdriver. 

• Questions: Contact us at 564.397.1679 or pwvolunteering@clark.wa.gov

• Check In Location: Event check in will happen at the entrance behind the house.

• Register HERE.

Pollinators & Pints

• Thursday, July 30, 2026

• 5:30 PM 7:00 PM

Pollinators & Pints is a casual monthly gathering hosted by Vancouver Bee Project where community members can connect, learn, and talk all things pollinators over food and drinks. Each month features a new topic related to native bees, pollinator habitat, conservation, or environmental stewardship, with guest speakers, hands-on learning, and opportunities for discussion.

Whether you’re a seasoned gardener, a bee enthusiast, or just curious about the natural world, Pollinators & Pints is a welcoming space to learn and build community.

Our July gathering will focus on Invasive Insects, featuring the Yellow-Legged Hornet and Spotted Lanternfly. Representatives from the Washington Department of Agriculture will share how to identify these species, why they matter in Washington, and how to report them if spotted. Attendees will also have the chance to see real specimens up close.

Join us at Grays Restaurant & Bar at the Hilton on Thursday, July 30 at 5:30 PM. Free to attend—food and drinks available for purchase.

The Vancouver Bee Project is excited to announce the return of the Pollinator Festival to downtown Vancouver.

This second annual event will be bigger and better (and hopefully drier) than last year’s event.

Reach out to the VBP if you are interested in BEE-ing a vendor or volunteer.

Visit their webpage for more information: https://pollinatorfestival.org/

Help spread the buzz about the power of pollinators!

Be a part of something special by volunteering at the 3rd annual Pollinator Festival! Join the Vancouver Bee Project and other dedicated partners to raise awareness about the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystem. This event is all about educating the public on the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that help our plants, food, and environment thrive.

As a volunteer, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with festival-goers, share valuable information, and contribute to an event that celebrates nature’s unsung heroes. Whether you prefer working with people, organizing activities, or helping behind the scenes, there’s a volunteer role that’s perfect for you.

Help us make this important event a success and spread the buzz about pollinators.  To learn more about the Pollinator Festival visit here.

Contact: Volunteer Programs at cityvolunteer@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-8344

wa_nativebees

Coming up this month, join the Washington Bee Atlas team to learn about the Bee Stewards program from Oregon Extension!

Do you want to build bee habitat or take your existing habitat to the next level? The Bee Stewards program is an introductory course that will teach you about the diversity of bees and how to meet their various needs through careful landscape design and plant selection.

Learn more about this program with instructor and entomologist Dr. Jen Hayes:

Jen is a Postdoctoral Scholar in the Oregon State University Pollinator Health Lab and leads the Extension Bee Stewards program. She's been studying bees for over 10 years; she started as a field teach collecting bees on Vermont berry farms and then moved around to survey bees across different ecosystems, including Ecuadorean cloud forests, prairies in North Dakota, and the Oregon Coast Range. She received her PhD while working in Dr. Gail Langellotto's Garden Ecology Lab, evaluating pollinator visitation to native plants and native plant cultivars. 

Learn more HERE

Meadow & Pollinator Hedgerow Care Workshop

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for a hands-on morning of habitat care and learning at Flat Tack Farm.

We’ll spend time working in the meadow and pollinator hedgerow while talking about what healthy spring habitats look like and how to support them. Activities will include;

• weeding,

• removing invasive blackberries,

• spreading wood chips in the hedgerow, and

• replanting select areas to strengthen pollinator habitat.

Along the way, we’ll share tips on spring meadow management and how these practices support native bees and other pollinators. No experience needed—just come ready to learn and get your hands a little dirty.

When: Saturday, May 2nd at 9:00 AM
Where: Flat Tack Farm
Registration: No sign-up needed—just show up!

Pollinators & Pints: Community Hangout + Mason Bee Check-In

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for a relaxed, community-focused evening at Pollinators & Pints. This gathering is all about connection—no formal presentation, just a chance to meet others who care about pollinators, native plants, and creating habitat in our community.

We’ll spend some time checking in on how mason bees are doing this spring—what people are seeing, what’s working, and what questions are coming up. Whether you’re hosting bees for the first time or have been doing it for years, this is a great opportunity to share experiences and learn from each other.

We also want your input. What topics are you most interested in? What would you like to learn at future events? Your feedback helps shape the direction of our programs and ensures these gatherings remain useful and relevant.

Come connect with your community and be part of building a stronger pollinator movement in Clark County.

Anne Bulger, WSU Master Gardener and OSU Master Melittologist will discuss how to invite one of nature’s most efficient early-season pollinators into your backyard — the Mason bee.

Join the Naturescaping Wildlife Botanical Gardens team to learn how to create a welcoming habitat and best practices for their care so they can return year after year. Note: We will also be selling (cash/checks only) cocoons after the presentation portion of the session.

NatureScaping classes are free for members ($25 per year; $15 for seniors), or $15 (+ tax) per class for non-members. 

Registration require: info@naturescaping.org or marlene52ns@gmail.com  or call 360-737-1160.

Insects are essential to life on Earth, but insect populations are in trouble. However, there is hope in our own yards.

There are many things you can do to make a real difference in improving insect biodiversity right where you live. Our gardens can host an astonishing variety of insect life—if we provide the habitat, we can make a real difference.

Five years ago, Amy Campion began making over her Portland garden to better serve the insects sharing her space. She was amazed by the creatures that soon showed up. She saw leafcutter bees harvesting petals to make nurseries, grass-carrying wasps building their distinctive nests, newly minted dragonflies taking their first flights. In all, she’s seen more than 400 insect species in her little 7,000 sq ft plot.

In this talk, you’ll learn 8 things you can do to create more insect-friendly habitat in your own garden, and you’ll meet some of the fascinating creatures that show up when you welcome them in.

You’ll learn:

• to appreciate aphids

• to prioritize pollen over nectar

• why you should feed caterpillars and with what

• who’s living in your perennial stems

• how to attract more “tickle bees” to your landscape, and

• how to control mosquitoes in your pond (without fish!)

Learn more and buy tickets HERE.

Amy Campion grew up in Minnesota, but she became a gardener in the Cincinnati area, where she worked at a wholesale nursery for 16 years. In 2013, she moved to Portland, Oregon, and in 2017, Amy co-authored Gardening in the Pacific Northwest: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide with Paul Bonine. You can follow her on her blog: amycampion.com, on Instagram: @campionamy, and on iNaturalist: @amycampion.

Join the WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardener program for an On the Road Tour and leave the driving to us.

Join the Clark County Master Gardeners for our first tour of 2026. Sit back and enjoy visits to three nurseries or farms.

“Spring Fever”. “Fiebre de primavera.” “Varfeber”. ” Fievre du printemps.” Noun – A feeling of restlessness and excitement felt at the beginning of spring. Are you restless on those rainy days you’re stuck in the house perusing seed catalogs? Excited at the prospect of planting new things and getting your hands dirty in your garden?

Meet in the parking lot of the 78th Street Heritage Farm at 8:15am to board our vans for a tour of some Portland locations to help ease the transition into our next gardening season.

• Our first stop will be Garden Fever where we will be treated to talk on what’s new and what’s tried and true for 2026.

• Our next stop will be a Portland staple – Portland Nursery – to get more info on great things for our gardens. There will be ample time at both locations to pick out your new favorite plant.

• Next, we will break for lunch at McMenamins Cedar Hills Pub. They have a menu featuring sandwiches, salads and burgers. Lunch is on your own.

• At our final stop of the day, Deby Barnhart of Cornell Farm will speak to the group about plant diversity. There will be time for shopping.

• Bring water, sunscreen, and a hat and wear comfortable walking shoes. Dress for weather. Bring a walking stick if necessary.

LOCATION: Hazel Dell Neighborhood, address at registration. No admission without registration.

COST: $35 plus tax and fees

REGISTRATION REQUIRED by March 17th: Click here

FOR MORE INFORMATION: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

The changing climate affects us all, and pollinating animals are no exception.

There are actions you can take in your garden to help them. Join the Master Gardener program for a presentation on how the changing climate affects pollinators and the plants upon which they…and in turn we…depend. They’ll offer ideas on steps you can take to help.

• COST: Free

• REGISTRATION: Not required

• FOR MORE INFORMATION: Click here

• Read about all Master Gardener upcoming events

WSU Extension programs and employment are available to all without discrimination. Evidence of noncompliance may be reported through your local WSU Extension office. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication or program information or reasonable accommodation need to contact Erika Johnson at the above listed email, phone or mailing address at least two weeks prior to the event.

Spring is one of the most important—and vulnerable—times of year for native pollinators.

Join the Vancouver Bee Project for an engaging, beginner-friendly introduction to spring mason bees and other early-season pollinators, and learn how you can help them thrive right where you live.

We’ll start with a brief overview of native bees in our region, then take a deeper dive into spring mason bees—how they live, when they emerge, and practical, science-based strategies for stewarding them successfully. We’ll also cover other early pollinators you may see in spring and simple ways to support them through habitat, nesting resources, and seasonal care.

To top it off, everyone who attends can enter a raffle to win a new mason bee house and cocoons to put out this spring.

Whether you’re brand new to mason bees or looking to sharpen your stewardship skills, this talk will give you the tools and confidence to make a real difference this season. Join us and learn how small actions can have a big impact for pollinators. 🌱🐝

No registration required

Welcome spring by inviting one of nature’s most efficient pollinators into your backyard!

Mason bees are gentle, low-maintenance super-pollinators that can significantly boost your garden’s blooms and fruit production. Join WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger and learn how to create a welcoming habitat, from choosing the right nesting materials to providing essential food sources. Discover best practices for caring for your mason bees, protecting them from pests, and ensuring their survival year after year. With a little preparation, you can enjoy a thriving garden while supporting these vital native pollinators!

For more information: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu.

Visit us online at https://extension.wsu.edu/.../community.../workshops-events/

From the Friends & the Refuge: Dive Back into Learning with a Free Workshop Series!

🐝 Join WSU Master Gardener Anne Bulger to explore the life cycle and role of these remarkable pollinators. You’ll even receive a take-home, ready-to-set-up mason bee house with cocoons to help support native bees in your own backyard! (Recommended for high school ages and up.)

The Friends of Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge are thrilled to announce a brand-new, FREE Community Workshop Series at the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge! Hosted at the beautiful Carty Unit, these sessions are designed for everyone in our community to enjoy free snacks, dive back into learning, and celebrate this stunning corner of the earth we call home.

Whether you want to support local pollinators, find your creative voice, or learn how local wildlife is navigating a changing world, we have a seat for you!

Each attendee will receive a take-home, ready-to-set-up mason bee house with cocoons, allowing you to put learning into action and support pollinators right at home. Whether you’re new to native bees or looking to deepen your understanding, this hands-on, community-focused program offers both inspiration and practical tools for stewardship.

• These events are provided by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in collaboration with the Friends of Ridgefield NWR.

• Registration is limited to 20 participants, so be sure to register HERE

• Due to the nature of the presentation, we recommend ages high school and up.

Photo source: Cornell

Join the Vancouver Bee Project team during Wild Birds Unlimited Vancouver’s grand opening weekend for a short, engaging introduction to mason bees—one of our most important native pollinators.

Learn who mason bees are, why they matter, how they differ from honey bees, and simple, science-based ways to support them at home through proper housing and seasonal care.

This is a great, beginner-friendly talk for gardeners, bird lovers, and anyone curious about helping pollinators thrive in our region. Stop by, learn something new, and celebrate the opening of Vancouver’s newest nature-focused store!

No registration is needed