Gardeners filled McCord Gallery & Cultural Center on Saturday as Pollinator Palooza turned a spring morning into a celebration of bees, butterflies and the role they play in keeping local landscapes thriving.
Hosted by the Palos Park Woman’s Club on May 2, the half-day program drew residents looking for practical ideas to make their yards more inviting to pollinators. The event mixed expert talks with time to explore vendors and connect with others interested in environmentally friendly gardening.
University of Illinois Extension horticulture educator Nancy Kuhajda walked attendees through the basics of identifying pollinators and understanding why they matter far beyond the garden bed.
“Pollination is talked about all of the time, but this is a way to teach people how to use the plants around them to support their own gardens,” Kuhajda said.
Chicago Botanic Garden instructor Nina Koziol also spoke, offering design ideas for creating outdoor spaces that naturally attract bees, butterflies, birds and other beneficial wildlife. Her presentation highlighted how even small changes in plant selection and layout can make a noticeable difference.
“I am absolutely thrilled about the attendance of this event and how many people are interested in learning more about beautifying their gardens,” Koziol said.
Between sessions, guests browsed a wide variety of local vendors offering native plants, gardening products and resources geared toward pollinator habitats. Among them was Joe Hiemenz of Hiemenz Nursery, a Monee-based business, who joined others in showcasing options for creating more sustainable, pollinator-friendly landscapes.
Many attendees left with ideas for rethinking their own gardens as more active, living ecosystems.
Palos Park resident Nancy Konior said the event created a sense of community among local gardeners.
“It’s wonderful that Palos Park is doing this and getting local gardeners together,” Konior said.
The Palos Park Woman’s Club organized the event as part of its ongoing community work centered on education, environmental awareness and local engagement.
