You are invited to conversations about bees and tea at the Everson Ranch.

The Everson Ranch has been "on pause" during the last months of Covid. Many visitors and volunteers have missed not being able to enjoy the ranch and the garden during this time. While the ranch continues to be closed for now, we are opening it up on Saturday, July 24 and Sunday, July 25 for two presentations. The gate will be open from 9:30 am to 2:00 pm and the presentations begin at 10:00 am each day. This event will be held under a large tent for you to be in the shade and be seated at a safe distance. Please bring a mask.

Bonita Bock has shared her knowledge of bees in numerous lectures and will be the guest speaker. Joining her will be the local beekeeper, Don Baker, from Saguache. He has been tending bees for 55 years, and learned the art of beekeeping from his father in law who was a beekeeper for 50 years. We are very excited to bring these two bee experts and bee advocates together.

On Sunday, July 25, Bonita will share her knowledge about teas at 10:00 am.

Bonita Bock will present ways in which our bee population is being challenged as well as ways we can be helpful human allies to these important pollinators at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 24. On Sunday, July 25, also at 10:00 am, she will bring you the history of tea and it's diversity and importance today.

There are 900 different varieties of bees in Colorado. Far more than only the honey bee. Bees pollinate 1/3 of our diet. These complex creatures are having trouble in our environment today and we will discuss several reasons for this situation as well as efforts at mitigating their decline.

The history of tea is a fascinating tale full of surprise and intrigue to establish it as the most widely consumed beverage in the world. Where is it grown? Who drinks the most? (You may be surprised to know that it is not China!) How do we get so many varieties that all come from the same plant? And, no, herbals are not tea. They are actually tisanes. And who was Tomas Lipton?

Bonita is a retired college professor in an entirely different discipline, but with a love for life-long learning, she comes to these presentations having gleaned a wealth of knowledge on a wide range of topics as a lecturer currently for Active Minds in Denver, Colorado. She has enjoyed soaking in the Valley View Hot Springs for many years, and recently volunteered two weeks at Everson Ranch.