Fairfield Iowa Convention & Visitors Bureau

Biodiversity Learning And Activity Center

Developed by Midwest Pollinator Conservation

You may not realize it, but you are a stock holder in the most valuable resources and wealth available on the planet, it's biodiversity. Biodiversity is a measure of the health, wealth and diversity of our ecosystem. An ecosystem consists of all the living organisms and their interactions with all the other environmental components like soil, air, water and sunlight. You are a member of your local ecosystem and depend upon all of the “goods and services” it provides for your existence, services that are required for your survival. Thus, investing in biodiversity is something we all need to be actively doing because it is in your own best self-interest.

Pollinators, such as honeybees and native bees, which have been declining in numbers, are the drivers of biodiversity and the keystones species that we need to conserve, protect and monitor. Most people do not understand the important role that our pollinators play in maintaining our food supply, our medicinal plants, and many of the other raw materials needed for everyday life. Declining pollinators lead to declining biodiversity, which in turn leads to a less abundant and poorer future. That is why we all need to take an active role in being caretakers and stewards of our pollinators, local ecosystem and our planet, not just for ourselves but for the future that our children will inherit.

The Biodiversity Learning And Activity Center is continually developing new courses and activities that will give everyone the opportunity to learn more about biodiversity and the pollinators that drive it. Education is the best hope for moving forward positively in our changing world.

Children benefit from being outdoors and when actively learning more about nature and discovering the wonders of nature will become better stewards. By investing in educating children and people of all ages now, we can all reap the many benefits of healthier ecosystems. People can lead healthier lives when they become more involved and acquainted with nature, and acquire a zest for life ... all of Life.

The following series of classes were developed, and will be presented by Pollinator Education.

Bee-Eco Series – All of us depend upon honey bees, native bees and other pollinators for pollinating much of the food, medicine and other raw materials we need on a daily basis. The Bee-Eco series will focus primarily on the needs of honey bees. By taking care and supporting honey bees, we will also support other native pollinators and ourselves.

Pollinator/Ecosystem Services Series - Our existence on this planet is entirely dependent upon ecosystem services that go on everyday, usually without our knowledge. What are ecosystem services and how do they affect or benefit you personally everyday? Every time you breathe in clean air, drink fresh water, eat food, recycle wastes, you are reaping the benefits of ecological services provided for you. Pollinators are another of the ecosystem services, they are the keystone species in human and wildlife food production and they help in providing many of the raw materials necessary for your survival.

Bee a “Wild Child” for “Life” Series – Being out in nature is beneficial to our bodies, minds and spirit. Course material will offer information on how nature is important for the development of human health, especially in children. It will introduce children and parents to nature and to the pollinators who are essential in keeping nature going. Field trips will include age appropriate activities such as child in the wild explorations; bee-eco stewards will help observe, monitor and document our environment and the nearly invisible workforce: our pollinators