Town and Country Garden Club will host its final program of the 2025-26 season, an engaging and timely presentation focused on the vital role of pollinators in our environment, on Wednesday, May 13, at 7 pm.

Holly Kocet will present “Everything You Need to Know About Pollinators” at Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street. The free event will offer an opportunity to learn how these small but essential creatures impact everyday life and how communities can help protect them.

Pollinators — including bees, butterflies, and other species — are a crucial part of the intricate web that supports biodiversity. They are responsible for the reproduction of approximately 90% of flowering plants and one-third of the food crops humans rely on.

Despite their importance, pollinator populations in Connecticut and beyond are declining, raising concerns about environmental health and food sustainability.

Kocet’s presentation will explore the characteristics and needs of various pollinator species, while also highlighting practical steps individuals and communities can take to create supportive habitats. Her talk aims to inspire attendees to take an active role in conservation efforts close to home.

A founding member of Protect Our Pollinators, a regional advocacy group, Kocet brings years of experience and passion to the topic. She is a 2013 UConn advanced master gardener and previously worked as a propagator at Earth Tones Native Plant Nursery in Woodbury, where she developed a strong interest in native plants that support pollinators and wildlife.

She also currently serves as chair of Newtown Conservation Commission and as conservation chair for The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut.

Those interested in attending or learning more about the Town and Country Garden Club, including membership opportunities, are encouraged to reach out via e-mail at townandcountrygardenclubct@gmail.com.