On Saturday, August 17th 2019, Daily Acts partnered with the City of Petaluma to host an Insect Investigation at the Petaluma Regional Library with local entomologist Kandis Gilmore! Kandis, who has a Master’s of Science focused in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Sonoma State University, was brought in by Daily Acts to describe the connection between diversified water-wise landscapes and the types of insects you can find in each landscape type.
Geared for families and children, Kandis led the group through the Petaluma Regional Library’s model site to quietly observe what sorts of insects they could see. Afterwards, the children were given nets and specimen jars so that they could catch and release different insects! The families were excited to discover the difference in insect diversity from the lawn to the water-wise model site garden, and to see what types of pollinators they could attract to their own gardens with certain plantings.
Near the end of the program, Kandis sat down with the group on a shady bench to read several stories about pollinators, their lifecycles, and how we can help them thrive and survive.
