Lombard Garden Club hosts talk on helping bees, butterflies

On Friday, Feb. 20, the Lombard Garden Club welcomes Bruce Blake who will deliver a presentation on “Bee an Advocate for Nature.” Note: date change from the garden club website.

The Eastern Monarch butterfly populations for 2025 have decreased 90% in the past 10 years. Native bees are declining up to 80% in some areas. In addition, many other insects and pollinators have lost habitat and food sources. These changes affect birds, amphibians and other animals that depend on them for food.

Learn how you can be an important part in helping the natural world thrive. Some of the topics that will be discussed are native plants, pesticides and changing climate.

Blake is a pollinator garden specialist with the DuPage Monarch Project and has served as a steward with the Forest Preserve District of DuPage County for over 20 years. He is also the owner of Prairie Wind Native Plants Nursery and brings a wealth of knowledge about local native plants.

The meeting will begin at 12:30 p.m. at the Lombard Community Building, 433 E. St. Charles Road. There is no charge and the public is welcome to attend.

The Lombard Garden Club, celebrating its centennial in 2026, promotes an interest in gardening and the beautification of the landscape in our community. The Club was established on May 28, 1926 and programs featuring its history and place in the community will occur during the year. The club welcomes fellow gardeners who enjoy learning opportunities and the company of others. For details, visit lombardgardenclub.org.