Virtual sustainability talk: Restoring the Little Things That Run the World

We are pleased to find out about this virtual program, offered by the Randall Library in Stow, in time! It’s this week, Wednesday Oct. 25 at 7:00pm. While it’s part of a monthly series in Stow, this information applies to people everywhere! Click here to register on their site, and receive the Zoom link.

A recent UN report predicts that as many as 1 million species will disappear from planet earth because of human activities. Many of these are insects and nearly all species at risk rely on insects. Insects have already declined 45% since 1974. The most alarming part of this statistic is that we don’t seem to care, despite the fact that a world without insects is a world without humans! So how do we create beautiful landscapes brimming with life; landscapes that support the pollinators, herbivores, detritivores, predators and parasitoids that run the ecosystems we depend on? Author/professor Doug Tallamy will remind us of the many essential roles insects play, and describe the simple changes we must make in our landscapes and our attitudes to keep insects on the ground, in the air and yes, on our plants. 

This series occurs every month, discussing contemporary topics about sustainability. Topics are announced as they become available.

Entomologist Larry Dapsis: 2 Upcoming Talks!

We are thrilled to have Larry back for not one, but TWO, informative talks on things many of us need to know!

On Thursday afternoon, July 20th at 1:30 PM, he will present “Ticks: Educate and Protect Yourself” (click here to register).

Lyme disease is the most prevalent tick-borne disease in Massachusetts, and is now considered a public health crisis.  In addition to Lyme, deer ticks can carry the pathogens that cause other illnesses. 

This program will review the basic life cycle and ecology of deer, dog and lone star ticks. He will present a three-point protection plan:  Protect Yourself, Protect Your Yard and Protect your Pet.  Tick-Borne diseases are preventable! An update on a new invasive species, Asian Longhorn Tick will be provided as well as information about a candidate Lyme vaccine. 

On Wednesday morning, July 26th at 11 AM, the talk will be “The Good, the Bad and the Bugly” (click here to register).

Gardening can be quite a challenge. Not every insect in a garden is a potential pest. We will review the common pests of fruits and vegetables, in addition to the fascinating natural enemy complex that helps keep them in check!

Larry Dapsis has been an entomologist since age 5.  He has a B.S. in Environmental Science & Biology from Fitchburg State University and an M.S. in entomology from the University of Massachusetts – Amherst.  He has forty years of professional pest management experience, for vegetables, cranberries and households.  He joined Cape Cod Cooperative Extension in 2011 as the Deer Tick Project Coordinator and Entomologist.

These events are free and appropriate for adults and teens.  Please register by clicking the links above, or call the reference department at 508-457-2555 x 7.

Master Gardener Drop-In Help

Volunteers from the Cape Cod Master Gardeners program are beginning a new weekly drop-in service at the library. They will be available at a table in the Katherine Lee Bates entryway of the Main Library, every Wednesday from 2-4pm starting July 20, 2022, to help you with questions related to gardening.

Hydrangeas not blooming? Deer stripping young trees? Tomatoes cracking? Borers in your squash vines? Bunny problems?  They’ve seen it all and can provide advice and commiseration. They can also recommend soil testing and advise about tick bite prevention.

Drop by every Wednesday between 2 and 4 PM. It’s fine to bring photos or even part of your actual plant so they can help troubleshoot!