The palo verde is like Arizona's version of a cherry blossom tree. . 📸 : Instagram user @ali__reese_lamson

Spaces of Opportunity – a partnership that includes Unlimited Potential AZ the Desert Botanical Garden and the RSD No. 66 – consists of small family gardens and a 10-acre incubator farm, as well as a farmers market. ✍️:Andrea Villalobos (she/her) 📸:Monse Apud cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2022/05/12/spa…

Did you know? A typical saguaro can live between 100-200 years. 😯 But what about the life span of urban saguaros? Over time, the Saguaro Census can help us find out! dbg.org/saguaro-census/

⭐ Join the June EcoQuest: Unfamiliar Pollinators! ⭐ ⁣ 🐞 For this EcoQuest, observe any and all examples of lesser-known insect pollinators and the host or nectar plants on which you might find them. inaturalist.org/projects/unfam…

Join The Leaf Connection! A new community engagement art project developed by Arizona artist Mary Meyer in collaboration with Metro Phoenix EcoFlora. 🍃 Follow The Leaf Connection on Instagram (the.leaf.connection) and join the project on iNaturalist. ow.ly/GYZC50JpCyT

🐞 Join us on June 29 for EcoQuestions with Arizona State University PhD candidates Jordan Glass and Meredith Johnson (@MeliponiniMere). We'll be learning about the amazing world of bees and some lesser known pollinators! Register for free: ow.ly/hPaE50JqZh2

Pollinator Week is June 20-26! Follow along with us and Desert Botanical Garden all week long to learn more about pollinators in the Sonoran Desert from Meredith Johnson (@MeliponiniMere) and Jordan Glass, biology PhD candidates at Arizona State University.

Did you know the majority of bee species do not produce honey or live with other bees? 🐝 Approximately 5,000 different bee species live in the continental United States, and around 1,300 of them are found in Arizona! 📷 : Meredith Johnson (@MeliponiniMere)

Check out this bee lookalike! This is the lovely hoverfly, Eristalis tenax. To tell the difference from a honeybee, notice this fly’s large eyes, two wings (instead of four like bees), and skinny hind legs with no hair for collecting pollen. 📷 : iNaturalist user hobiecat

The gorgeous, green yucca plants that dot the landscapes of the Sonoran Desert are in large part pollinated by the yucca moths. These moths are specialists, meaning they rely solely on the yucca for food, safety, and housing. #pollinatorweek #unfamiliarpollinators

Flies are important insects that move pollen from flower to flower as they forage for nectar, effectively pollinating local flora. The next time you hear someone say that flies are “useless”, you can kindly inform them of the important services they provide!

How on earth is @MeliponiniMere holding a bee? Is she some kind of bee whisperer? Though the latter may be true, this is a male Centris pallida bee, which has no stinger! 📷 : Meredith Johnson

Though we are sad that #pollinatorweek is almost at close, don’t forget that you can observe, study and care for our important local pollinators all year round! 🐞 🐝 🦟 Check out the Environmental Protection Agency’s Pollinator Protection Initiative: epa.gov/pollinator-pro…

Thanks for joining us this #pollinatorweek! We invite you to join us on Wednesday, June 29 to learn more from Meredith (@MeliponiniMere and Jordan in an EcoQuestions session at Desert Botanical Garden (Desert Botanical Garden). eventbrite.com/e/358828444537

⭐ Join the July EcoQuest: The Leaf Connection! ⭐ ⁣ 🍃 This month's EcoQuest is in collaboration with The Leaf Connection project by Arizona artist Mary Meyer. Join the project for a chance to see your observation turned into art! marymeyerstudio.com/artwork/500604…

EcoQuestions with Mary Meyer is happening July 27 at Desert Botanical Garden. Don't miss this chance to hear from Mary and see examples of her amazing work! There will also be an opportunity to learn how to use the iNaturalist app and join the project. ow.ly/3KeV50JMa8P

⭐ Join the August EcoQuest: Palms on Parade! ⭐ ⁣ 🌴 Currently, there are nine verifiable species of palm tree in metro Phoenix on iNaturalist, can you find more? Join the EcoQuest: inaturalist.org/projects/palms…

Check out EcoFlora in the latest issue of Public Garden Magazine from American Public Gardens Association! 😄🌿 indd.adobe.com/view/c7aafb9f-…

⭐ Join the September EcoQuest: Tracking Tamarisk Beetles! ⭐ ⁣ Tamarisk beetles were released as a biological control for invasive tamarisk trees in 2001. They have expanded their range much faster and farther than predicted. inaturalist.org/projects/track…

Thank you, Neighborhood Naturalists, for making the past few years a wonderful experience. For the time being, the Metro Phoenix EcoFlora is on pause while a new way forward is being navigated. For more information: conta.cc/3hdgJBa Jeny, EcoFlora Coordinator