Pocatello residents will have several opportunities this week to learn about the insects, birds, and mammals that help put food on Idaho tables, as the community marks National Pollinator Week from June 22 through 27 with a lineup of free and low-cost activities.
Scientists estimate that roughly one-third of the food humans eat depends on pollinators — a category that includes not just bees and butterflies, but also bats and birds. This week’s events are designed to highlight that relationship and connect Southeast Idaho families with local green spaces.
Events Across the Week
The week kicks off Sunday, June 22, at 9 a.m. with a guided plant walk led by the Sawabi Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society. The walk will help participants identify native plants and the pollinators that depend on them.
On Monday, June 23, at 6 p.m., the Idaho Museum of Natural History will host a presentation titled “Do You Like Chocolate? Thank a Pollinator!” — a nod to the fact that cacao plants rely on pollinators for reproduction. The event is free and open to the public.
Also on June 23, Jim Dandy Brewing will hold an adult pollinator-themed paint night. Tickets for that event are $35 per person.
Mid-week activities shift to Edson Fichter Nature Area, which will host a meditative walk, a pollinator garden tour, and a summer concert. The nature area has long served as one of Pocatello’s premier spots for wildlife observation and outdoor education.
Closing Day at Edson Fichter
The week wraps up Friday, June 27, with two events at Edson Fichter Nature Area. An early-morning bird walk at 7 a.m. is open to participants of all ages and offers a chance to see some of Pocatello’s feathered pollinators and seed dispersers in action.
Later that morning, the Pollinator Celebration Day runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is expected to draw families looking for a community gathering point to close out the week’s activities.
What Comes Next
For Bannock County residents interested in participating, National Pollinator Week events begin this Sunday morning with the guided plant walk. Many of the week’s activities are free of charge, making them accessible for families, students, and anyone curious about the role native plants and wildlife play in Idaho’s food supply and natural landscape. Residents are encouraged to check with the Idaho Museum of Natural History and Edson Fichter Nature Area directly for any updates or registration requirements ahead of each event.