EMILY MAY

MIDDLEBURY — What if your yard could support more than just grass?

The organization Pollinator Pathways of Addison County next month will host a talk that will help homeowners answer that question.

“Less Lawn, More Life: Reimagining Yards as Wildlife Habitat” featuring Emily May will take place on Tuesday, April 8, at 7 p.m. in Unity Hall at the Congregational Church of Middlebury.

In this talk, May, a pollinator conservation biologist, will explore how to reimagine Addison County’s acres of lawns as vibrant, sustainable habitats for pollinators, birds and other wildlife.

Learn practical steps to create wild and wonderful spaces that reduce maintenance and welcome nature home. From selecting native plants to designing for year-round interest, we’ll discuss impactful, manageable changes that make a big difference in conservation — starting right in your own backyard.

Emily May is the agricultural conservation lead with the Xerces Society’s pesticide program. While attending Middlebury College, May began a pollinator garden that is still blooming and attracting pollinators today.

She received a Master of Science in entomology from Michigan State University, and has studied pollinator habitat restoration, bee nesting habits, and the effects of pest management practices on wild bee communities. Her work with Xerces since 2015 has focused on supporting crop pollinators through habitat creation and protecting bees and other beneficial insects from pesticides.

There is a $5 suggested donation for the talk. For more information, email [email protected].