The King Conservation District is offering a series of free workshops on pollinators and beneficial insects, starting in June. The workshops are held in partnership with world-class invertebrate conservation experts, the Xerces Society.

Bees, butterflies, and other insects provide an essential service for the environment, supporting more than 85 percent of the world’s flowering plants and more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species.

The first workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday, June 3, at the Green River College Enumclaw Campus, covers attracting native predators of common agricultural pests. Learn this science-based strategy on how to design spaces that draw in these beneficial insects and eliminate farming nuisances.

Next up is a workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, June 4 on the benefits of bringing native pollinators onto the farm. This workshop is hosted by and presented in partnership with 21 Acres Farm in Woodinville and will feature a tour of a new pollinator-focused hedgerow. The Xerces Society will provide an overview of simple strategies to create pollinator habitat that can greatly impact how many bees and butterflies visit a property.

The final workshop, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sunday, June 5, will discuss how to garden for native insects, focusing on how you can build a place for native bees and butterflies. Meet the King CD and the Xerces Society at the UW Center for Urban Horticulture to see pollinators in action and learn how to create a pollinator oasis in your own backyard.

The King Conservation District is a non-regulatory, non-enforcement organization that provides free education and technical assistance on natural resource issues. All classes are open to the public.

To register and receive more details, go to http://www.eventbrite.com/o/king-conservation-district-6232094411, call (425) 282-1949 or send e-mail to signup@kingcd.org.