Lebanon — The Grafton County Conservation District will be hosting a “Tour of Pollinator Practices” on Friday to teach the public about how to cultivate plants that attract pollinating insects such as bees.

The tour will raise awareness about pollinating insects for food production and discuss dangers to these insects, said Pam Gilbert of the Grafton County Conservation District. Tour participants will learn about farming practices that increase beneficial insects and reduce the need for pesticides, as well as learning how to establish a habitat for these insects. The lessons for the day will be tailored to the group.

“We’ll start with brief introductions, which will help determine the interests of the group and experience level, which will allow the presenters to be more  general or specific to meet the needs of the group,” Gilbert said in an email to the Valley News.

The day begins at 9:30 a.m. at Poverty Lane Orchard, 98 Poverty Lane, Lebanon. Owner Steve Wood has been working with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, UNH Cooperative Extension and the Xerces Society to naturally control insects that damage crops. He also introduced wildflower meadows to attract more bees to the property. Tour participants will learn about both these efforts.

Next, the group will visit the King Bird Sanctuary, which was established at Hayes Farm Park in Etna in 2011. The location, at 130 Etna Road, was planted with native trees and shrubs and there are plans to put in flowering plants to attract pollinators soon.

The day ends at 11:30 a.m. at the home of Jim and Deb Kennedy, at 494 Hanover Center Road, Etna, a property that has been landscaped with insects in mind.

To register, call Gilbert at 603-353-4652.

Transportation between locations is not provided.