Protect Our Pollinators poster contest entries are now fluttering across Newtown Municipal Center's walls and include images of bees, butterflies and other critters responsible for transferring pollens from one plant to the next. The local Protect Our Pollinators group and The Newtown Bee cosponsored a recent poster challenge, which asked students through the eighth grade to submit a drawing, painting, poem, song, photo or collage of a favorite pollinator - a honeybee, butterfly, moth, wasp, some flies and beetles, hummingbirds or bats.The Bee by Ms Gaudet-Wilson states, "Pollinator populations have suffered great losses in recent years." A third of the existing honeybees die every year, and the monarch butterfly's population has dropped by 90 percent, the document states. One species of bee is nearly extinct.mhgwilson@sbcglobal.net.

"What a display. I think they're amazing," said Protect Our Pollinators member Mary Gaudet-Wilson.

Although just nine entries came in, Ms Gaudet-Wilson said she is "very happy with it; it's a good start." She hopes to get the students together during pollinator week, June 20-26, and provide them with gift baskets.

The poster challenge was intended to raise awareness for students, but also "for anyone who sees the display, to understand the plight of bees and butterflies." Thinking of the future, she said, "We need the kids on board."

Pollinators face perils, she said. Background information provided to

Also according to the information, "Without pollinators, we would lose most of the plant life that makes up our world. In addition, pollinators are responsible for one-third of the food we eat. Most of our fruits and vegetable production is made possible by pollinators."

Entries will be on displayed throughout the month of June.

The Protect Our Pollinators group was formed last August. Six members include four from Newtown, one from New Milford and one from Danbury.

"There is opportunity to be involved in area towns and it's a chance to grow," Ms Gaudet-Wilson said.

Members are meeting and making presentations to groups like master gardeners.

For more information, call 203-417-1109 or send an inquiry to

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