Reno Reporter

The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) Extension is urging teenagers to be important pollinator advocates for insects such as bees.

Students who have a liking for establishing pollinator habitats can apply to become Nevada 4-H Pollinator Ambassadors, according to a news release shared by the UNR.

The National 4-H Council and Corteva Agriscience provided a $15,000 grant to create the program that is open to students in the state between the ages of 14 and 19. It is worth noting that 4-H membership is not a prerequisite for the program. 

“We are excited to have been chosen as one of the recipients of this grant,” Lindsay Chichester, Extension educator in Douglas County, said in the release. “In Nevada, my colleagues and I are building momentum with honey bees, horticulture and pollinators in general, and this seems like a great step in the right direction.”

Moreover, the 11-month program will provide the pollinator ambassadors with information on pollinators, and their environments, along with how to interact with audiences interested in the subject. Roughly 10 people will be chosen for the program and six of the advocates will be given the chance to attend the National 4-H Youth Summit – IGNITE in Washington D.C.  

“The ambassadors will have the chance to visit various parts of the state to work on creating pollinator habitats, engage with other ambassadors and learn more about pollinators,” according to UNR.