The University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s new program aims to help support pollinators in decline. Its master gardener volunteers are to host a two-part presentation, “Why Native Plants?,” online via Zoom.

The first part is to be held from noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 9. Allan Amioka, a coordinator of the Native Garden at the Wells Reserve at Laudholm Farm, Wells, will cover the basics of why it’s important to incorporate plants native to the ecoregion into landscapes. He will be joined by his fellow master gardener volunteer Allison Tunick to outline why native plants are so important to pollinators.

Part two, “Creating a Pollinator-Friendly Garden,” is scheduled for noon to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23. Amioka and Tunick will share information on how to create and certify a garden as pollinator friendly.

To register, visit the events page at auburnpubliclibrary.org, email [email protected], or call the reference desk at 207-333-6640, ext. 4. Participants can register for one or both programs and will be sent a Zoom link on the day of the program for which they are registered.

For more information on this or other upcoming programs offered by the library, visit its website, Facebook page (Auburn Public Library Advocates), or the reference desk.