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Pollinatarium

Museums in Champaign, IllinoisUniversity of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignUse mdy dates from March 2025

The Pollinatarium (University of Illinois Pollinatarium or UI Pollinatarium) is the first freestanding science center in the United States dedicated to increasing public awareness and appreciation of pollination as both a remarkable ecological partnership and a crucial ecosystem service. The building, originally established as the campus's first Bee Research Facility (or "bee lab" for short), was repurposed in 2009 to become the University of Illinois Pollinatarium, after a new Bee Research Facility was constructed. The initial project of Pollinatarium received significant financial support from Peter Fox and his family, who are acknowledged with a commemorative plaque within the Pollinatarium. The center was reconfigured to focus on public outreach and education related to pollinators. Each year, the University of Illinois Pollinatarium hosts a variety of educational programs and events that attract a wide range of visitors, including preschoolers, undergraduates, Osher Lifelong Learners, community groups, beekeepers, agritourists, and casual visitors to the campus. Notable programs include visits from Orchard Downs preschoolers who plant flowers, Girls Explore Biology during National Pollinator Week, and educational events like the Summer Academies for 4-H students focused on beekeeping. The Pollinatarium also serves over 900 second-grade students from Champaign Unit 4 and engages local beekeepers through seasonal meetings with the Central Eastern Illinois Beekeepers Association (CEIBA). Through these efforts, the Pollinatarium raises awareness about the vital role of bees and pollination, contributing to the University of Illinois' certification as a Bee Campus. The center's outreach initiatives foster a deeper understanding of the importance of pollinators in maintaining biodiversity and supporting global food production. It is also a member of the Champaign County Museums Network.

Excerpt from the Wikipedia article Pollinatarium (License: CC BY-SA 3.0, Authors).

Pollinatarium
Hazelwood Drive, Urbana

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N 40.087222222222 ° E -88.214444444444 °
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Housing Warehouse

Hazelwood Drive 511
61801 Urbana
Illinois, United States
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