Johnson County Master Gardeners will offer a virtual continuing education program on Sunday, Feb. 28, from 1:30–2:30 p.m. with Linn County Master Gardener Jo Dillon presenting “Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden.”

Dillon will provide gardeners with suggestions how to please the bees and butterflies. She will highlight how our lives are intertwined with many creatures, including pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Dillon will explain the importance of pollination, offer the steps needed to protect pollinators, why habitats are disappearing and how gardeners can provide these much-needed environments.

The JCMG continuing education programs are available online. Links to the live presentation will be available on the JCMG Facebook page. The sessions are free and open to the public.

City Channel 4 will live-stream the presentation and videotape for rebroadcast. The series will also be hosted on the JCMG Facebook page and videotaped for replay. Check CC4 for rebroadcast times.

Additional Master Gardener continuing education virtual programs will be offered on Sunday, March 28, “How to Prepare for Possible Drought Conditions”; Sunday, April 25, “Delightful Iowa Fungi”; and Sunday, May 23, “Iowa Bees”. All presentations will be held from 1:30–2:30 p.m.

In 2021, Johnson County Master Gardeners will celebrate 39 years of service. The local program was organized in 1982. The educational volunteer program, sponsored by Iowa State University Johnson County Extension and Outreach, uses research-based horticulture and gardening knowledge and practices to educate people and coordinate projects that promote healthy communities.

Master Gardeners receive horticulture training and volunteer to promote a mission of education and service. The program is open to anyone 18 or older with an interest in gardening and a willingness to use their knowledge, experience and enthusiasm to make a positive impact on their local community.