WSU Clallam County Master Gardener Bev Hetrick talks about the important role native mason bee play in diversifying the pollinator pool for local fruit trees, berries and flowering shrubs at noon Thursday, Feb. 22, in the county commissioner meeting room at the Clallam County Courthouse, 223 E. Fourth St., Port Angeles.

Hetrick will explain how to identify and distinguish the mason bee from other pollinators, the annual life cycle of mason bees and ways to promote and encourage bees to dwell in home gardens. She will share best practices for mason bee house design, placement and maintenance.

Hetrick, retired and new to Sequim, has more than 60 cherry, plum, apple and pear trees in her orchard. For the last two years, she has expanded the mason bee community. She is a 2017 graduate of the Master Gardener Training and serves as the intern liaison to the Master Gardener Foundation of Clallam County board of directors.

The presentation is part of the Clallam County Master Gardener Green Thumb Garden Tips educational series, held the second and fourth Thursday of each month.

Presentations, which are open to the public, are from noon-1 p.m. For more information, call 360-565-2679.