Three quarters of the known animal species on planet Earth are insects, and Mercer area residents are invited to celebrate their impact on our lives at the Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County’s 21st Annual Insect Fest on Saturday, Sept. 6.
The event will feature hands-on activities designed to teach attendees about the vital role of insects and how they create the biological foundation for all terrestrial ecosystems. The fest will run from 11 a.m. to 2p.m. at the Mercer Educational Gardens, 431A Federal City Road in Hopewell Township. Admission and on-site parking are free.
Attendees are invited to view the demonstration gardens on-site and learn how insects interact with different varieties of plants. Visitors can also learn about various methods of composting, through which insects decompose organic matter and recycle minerals to support the production of food crops and other plants.
Along the way, there will be activities designed to teach children of all ages to appreciate and respect the amazing beauty, diversity, and essential roles of our insect friends.
Master Gardeners in themed outfits at last year’s Insect Fest. Pictured are Justine Gray, Amber Dalke, Julie Rauch, Beverly Phillips, Virginia Finley, Barbara Glass and Jacqueline Spadaccini.
This year’s activities will include the popular scavenger hunt, “Bugs in Water,” and a Q&A with Rutgers Cooperative Extension horticulturist Justine Gray. Other highlights of the day are set to include “Bugs Galore,” “Native Bees,” “Composting,” “Carnivorous Plants,” “Crafts,” “Insect Hunt/Catch and Release,” “Storytime,” and new this year, a station where visitors can create their own “Mosquito Buckets” to take home. The buckets help to control mosquito growth without harming other insects in our eco-system.
Invited partners at this year’s Fest will include: Tulpehaking Nature Center, The Watershed Institute, Isles, Friends for the Abbott Marshlands, NJ Native Plant Society, Mercer County Mosquito Control Commission, Phillip Alampi Beneficial Insect Rearing Laboratory, Rutgers Residential Insects Lab, Rutgers Center for Vector Biology and a NJ Beekeeper.
The Rutgers Master Gardeners of Mercer County is a volunteer educational outreach program of Rutgers Cooperative Extension. Master Gardeners participate in many volunteer programs throughout the county.
For home gardening, plant, turf or insect questions, you can visit the Helpline office at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Mercer County, 1440 Parkside Ave, Ewing, from Monday through Friday, and speak with a Rutgers Master Gardener volunteer. You can also call (609) 989-6853, or email askthemgs@mercercounty.org. Visit the website at mercer.njaes.rutgers.edu/garden/ for helpline hours, upcoming events, and more.
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