Did you know that more than 80 native bee species have been recorded in Overton Park? On #WorldBeeDay, we`re celebrating the rainbow of native bees that visit our flowers and trees. Unlike honey bees, which are imported to the U.S. for agriculture, native bees evolved to pollinate the specific plants that grow in our region. From mining bees that visit a single species of spring-blooming flower to bumble bees that love many types of flowers, bees are among the best pollinators on the planet. This is because they don`t just drink nectar; as vegetarians, they get protein to feed themselves and their young from pollen, meaning they transport it everywhere they go. The best things you can do for native bees are to plant native flowers in your garden and to leave a messy corner in your yard over the winter where bees can hibernate among the fallen leaves. We hope you`ll take some time to appreciate these tiny heroes of the garden today! ...

Can you read the signs of the forest? At next week`s Third Thursday Trek, we`ll take a leisurely walk with magnifying glasses to hunt for insect eggs, feeding signs, galls, leaf mines, webs, cocoons, droppings, and shelters. Tickets are almost gone--get yours today at the link in our bio at at overtonpark.org/trek. ...

Drumroll please...the results of the 2026 City Nature Challenge are in! Memphis ranked 271st out of 754 participating cities. We recorded 843 species, and now it`s time to introduce you to some of them in today`s #NatureZen. If you don`t click the link in our bio or visit overtonpark.org/naturezen, you`ll never know what`s happening with that bug`s posterior! ...