ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — The Asheville Botanical Garden and Bee City Asheville are hosting their monthly Certified Pollinator Advocate series, a program designed for environmentally curious residents interested in pollinator conservation.

The series meets every second Tuesday at 6 p.m. Participants explore topics related to protecting pollinators, from habitat creation to sustainable gardening practices. Those seeking certification must complete all 12 classes and participate in an outreach event and a habitat project with Bee City Asheville.

Upcoming sessions include:

September: Brannen Bashem of Spriggly’s Beescaping will lead “Pollinator-Friendly Pest Management,” offering strategies for identifying true pests and managing them with minimal impact on pollinators. Bashem notes that some insects often labeled as pests, like wasps, can be valuable for pest control.

October: Sarah Coury, garden manager at the Botanical Garden and co-owner of Saturnia Farm, will present “Collect Native Seeds to Plant Next Year.”

November: Phyllis Stiles and Keith Aitken will discuss the role of trees and leaves in sustaining pollinators in “Pamper Your Pollinators This Winter.”

December: Bashem returns with “Bee My Little Baby: Intro to Bee Nesting,” offering guidance on supporting local bee populations.

The series, first offered in 2024 and repeated in 2025, will continue into 2026.