Kevin Burls, Integrated Pest Management Educator for the University of Nevada Extension will make a presentation on the significant ecological role of pollinating insects and the threats these pollinators face. Kevin will explore which plants in our homes provide a safe habitat for them and what flowers visiting pollinating insects need on the landscape. Co-presenter Ed Kleiner, General Manager of Comstock Seed, will share techniques to germinating and getting a seed bed off to a good start; short and long-term management; and trouble shooting.

Kevin has been the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) educator for the University of Nevada Extension since 2015. His specialties include native insects, especially butterflies, and his current work focuses on pollinator health and IPM on Recreational Lands. He is also familiar with native pollinator plants and is currently treasurer of the Nevada Weed Management Association. Kevin has lived in the Reno area since 2007 and earned his Ph.D. from the Ecology, Evolution, and Conservation Biology program at UNR in 2014. In his free time he can be found repairing the irrigation at his home in Washoe Valley.

Ed Kleiner began his seed business 34 years ago. For the last 20 years, he applied much of his experience to developing his 43-acre seed farm in Gardnerville, NV. Three years ago, the seed business was sold to Schaff Enterprises. Ed remains employed by Comstock Seed as general manager. Today, Comstock Seed is primarily focused on locally sourced seed collections for their client base in the Sierras, Mojave, and Great Basin.