Just wrapped up the first Agricultural Day at South Ridge Elementary in Ridgefield, WA, on April 15th, and it was a remarkable experience from start to finish. Seven classes of 2nd graders rotated through the tent, one class at a time, each arriving with curiosity and leaving with a new understanding of the small but essential role native bees play in our world.
Students were able to see live Mason bee cocoons up close, examine the details of their life cycle, and witness something quite special, a Mason bee resting calmly on Anne Bulger’s hand as she introduced them to one of our most important native pollinators here in Clark County, the Blue Orchard Mason Bee. Moments like that seemed to quietly shift understanding from abstract to real.
The level of engagement was striking. Questions were thoughtful, observations were sharp, and there was a genuine sense of wonder as students connected what they were seeing to the broader natural world around them.
It was a full and meaningful day of hands-on learning, shared discovery, and connection to place. We wrapped up just in time, with all students safely back inside as an intense burst of hail suddenly swept across the area, an unforgettable close to an already memorable day. Best day ever for native bees everywhere!
-Anne Bulger, Friends of Ridgefield NWR Board Member, & OSU Master Melittology Lead Instructor for the RNWR
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