Chris Stein retired after 40 years of service as a National Park Ranger. He is from the northern Midwest and has lived in many of the most beautiful areas of our country, surrounded by the majestic beauty of our National Parks. He helped manage Yosemite, the Great Smoky Mountains and American Samoa, in the South Pacific. Today, Chris shared with us information that focuses on our own backyards as well as our community while being a part of Rotary's 7th Area of Focus - the environment, with their project Operation Pollination. Without our pollinators (bees, butterflies, moths and hummingbirds, etc.) our plants will be less robust. Some farmers have even spent $10,000 on one robotic bee to pollinate their plants. The goal of this Rotary project is to protect and enhance pollinator species and their habitat in both the private and public sectors. Through the public-private partnerships, the goal is to develop strategic plans to improve or create habitat for these valuable pollinators. Through education, they hope to encourage voluntary collaborative and locally led conservation that has proven to be effective in maintaining and enhancing working landscapes. This is something that has already been discussed in our Club by partnering with Go Green Highland Park. The District has already taken the step to sign a pledge. Now we need pledge our commitment and start planning with Go Green HP to make that project along the McClory bike path take place. To learn more about Operation Pollination, click here. |