FARMINGTON — Mt. Blue Area Garden Club plans to host Professor Bernd Heinrich, a research scientist, author, illustrator, and University of Vermont professor emeritus.

The free public event is set for 12:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, at Trinity United Methodist Church on Farmington Falls Road; the presentation will begin at 1 p.m.

The gathering offers an introduction to insect and plant ecology focusing on the secret lives of one of nature’s most important and adaptive creatures: bumblebees. People can learn from Heinrich’s keen and entertaining observations about the wildlife of Western Maine in this lively presentation, according to a news release from the club.

There will be a social half hour prior to the program, with light refreshments provided by Libby Kaut and Jeannine LeVigne, members of the garden club.

Heinrich, a professor emeritus in the biology department at UVM, is the author of a number of books about nature and biology. Heinrich has made major contributions to the study of insect physiology and behavior as well as bird behavior.

In addition to many scientific publications, Heinrich has written over a dozen books, mostly related to his research examining the physiological, ecological and behavioral adaptations of animals and plants to their physical environments.

For more information, visit mtbluegardenclub.org or email mtbluegardenclub@gmail.com.

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