POCATELLO — National Pollinator Week is this week, and Pocatello residents can celebrate June 22 through June 27 with a series of free community events culminating in a special celebration at Idaho Fish and Game’s Edson Fichter Nature Area.

The week aims to highlight the role that birds, bees, bats and butterflies play in the ecosystem and will showcase all that Pocatello has to offer.

Pollinators are a significant part of everyday life. Those small animals make an outsized difference, helping with food production, wildlife habitat and agriculture. About one-third of the food we eat depends on them.

The week kicks off Monday, June 22, with a guided plant walk hosted by the Sawabi Chapter of the Idaho Native Plant Society at 9 a.m.

On Tuesday, June 23, those curious about the connection between pollinators and their morning cup of coffee or chocolate bar can attend a free presentation at the Idaho Museum of Natural History titled “Do You Like Chocolate? Thank a Pollinator!” at 6 p.m.

Also on Tuesday is a pollinator paint night for adults at Jim Dandy Brewing for $35 per person. The middle of the week features a meditative walk, a pollinator garden tour and a summer concert at Edson Fichter Nature Area.

Saturday, June 27, is the big day. It begins with a morning bird walk at 7 a.m. at Edson Fichter Nature Area for all ages, followed by Pollinator Celebration Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

All events are free and open to the community unless otherwise noted. For more information, contact Friends of Edson Fichter Nature at friendsofefna@gmail.com or the Portneuf Pollinator Partnership at Portneuf.Pollinator.Partnership@gmail.com.