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science and conservation, sounded the alarm.

“We are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction on planet Earth, and this one is di erent than the rest in that it’s caused by one of nature’s own: people. And unfortunately, insects and invertebrates are not

Reading said some are also calling this period time the insect apocalypse, pointing to some professionals that believe the planet lost 45% of pollinators in the last few centuries.

He emphasized the importance of pollinators to the environment and to humans. Creating soil, purifying water and pollinating food are among some of their ecosystem ser- vices, and said they create one out of every three bites of food people take.

He paraphrased a quote from a biologist.

“If people disappeared, the planet would quickly return to a state of normalcy, but if the invertebrates disappeared, if insects were to disappear, life, as we know it on this planet, would disappear altogether,” he said.

Increasing pollinators

But he also said he’s hopeful, as e orts by communities and the Butter y Pavilion are aiming to help, such as creating pollinator districts within cities and collecting data on butter y monitoring.

Amy Yarger, Director of Horticulture, said pollinator districts have seen increases in pollinators, and even small actions can make a difference. Pollinator Palooza hopes to get more people involved.

“Some of the things that all of us can do, whether it’s planting a garden(or) putting out ower pots, can make an impact,” she said.

In an interview, Reis, Gov. Jared Polis’ husband, urged residents to talk to their city council members and county commissioners about planting native plants in their jurisdiction.

“ ere’s a tendency to plant nonnative like Kentucky Bluegrass, which is beautiful, it’s soft and looks pretty, but it’s not great for native wildlife,” he said.

Reis touted a bill he’s working on that’s moving its way through the legislature, which will limit the use of a group of pesticides called neonicotinoids. He said they’re toxic to pollinators.

Reis also said the legislature passed a bill for a pollinator license plate that generates funds toward pollinator conservation.

How community members can make their own impact and learn more about pollinators can be learned throughout the celebration at the Butter y Pavilion.

Bruce Howard Reinbold, 86, of Brighton Colorado passed away in the comfort of his home on April 26th, 2023, along side of his wife Nancy Reinbold and family. Please view full obituary online at www.pfh-co.com

Sam Funakoshi, 88, of Fort Lupton passed away at Platte Valley Medical Center in Brighton. He was born November 12, 1934 in Fort Lupton to Hirokichi Ota-Funakoshi and Tatsu Funakoshi where he was raised and graduated high school.

Sam was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1957, serving until his honorable discharge on March 14, 1959.

On August 18, 1962, Sam married Frances Reiko Tsukamoto at the Simpson Methodist Church in Denver.

Sam worked on the family farm before serving in the Army and then returned home where he joined his father on the farm again. His farming career lasted nearly 20 years, from 1952 to 1971 and then began a career in real estate in Fort Lupton with J.L. Sears before starting his own business, Midwest Realty and Insurance in 1981. eir family farm still produces crops; peppers, spinach, kale, onions and so much more.

Being on the farm, riding on tractors, and working on old cars brought Sam such pride and joy. He loved walking around the yard in his soil-soaked shoes, taking in the changes of the seasons and looked forward to the greening elds each Spring. He served many community organizations and also held o ces including the Chamber of Commerce as President, Lions Club as President, North Metro Denver Realtor Association board member, Japanese American Citizens League and Trappers Day Grand Marshall. ankful to have shared his life are his wife, Fran, their daughter, Lynelle (Dave) Detrick and two granddaughters; Summer and Jasmine Detrick as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings; Amy Urano, Fred, Kenny, Daisy Kiyota, Ruth Noda and Mary Masunaga.

Sam’s Life Celebration will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at the Fort Lupton First United Methodist Church with a reception to follow. Memorial gifts may be made to the “Arthritis Foundation” in care of Adamson, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO 80634. Friends may leave condolences at AdamsonCares.com.

BY JOHN RENFROW JRENFROW@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

Pools around the metro area are gearing up to open for the summer. at is, if there are enough lifeguards.

e years-long trend where pools have cut hours or closed altogether appears to be waning, though it’s still a possibility in some places, according to aquatics managers across the Denver area, who are more optimistic than in past years, but still concerned as summer nears.

For instance, South Suburban Parks and Recreation needs 250 lifeguards for its peak summer season but has only 183 ready to go.

Karl Brehm, the recreation dis- trict’s aquatics manager, hopes to get closer to the goal as summer approaches but wonders why applications are so slow to roll in.

“I have seen, more and more, less interest in the position,” Brehm said.

He’s been in the business for a long time. Brehm worked at Elitch Gardens for ve seasons and the Highlands Ranch Community Association for 16 years. He said he’s seen a general lack of interest, generationally, from young people who want to do the job. Fewer people are becoming CPR certi ed as well, he added.

“I’ve often wondered why we were having those issues,” Brehm said. “Back in the day, I remember if you didn’t have your job by spring break, you weren’t getting a summer job.” e problem could a ect South Suburban pools across the district, which serves more than 150,000 residents in Bow Mar, Columbine Valley, Littleton, Sheridan, Lone Tree and parts of Centennial and Douglas, Je erson and Arapahoe counties.

If he can’t hire enough lifeguards, hours at pools could be cut, Brehm said. It’s not for a lack of trying, though. e district has introduced incentives, bonuses, pay bumps and more in hopes of luring in more lifeguards.

South Suburban isn’t alone. ere’s a national lifeguard shortage, which was exacerbated by the pandemic. Lifeguard shortages a ected roughly a third of public pools throughout the country.

In response last year, Gov. Jared Polis announced a “Pools Special Initiative 2022,” in which Colorado introduced incentives. Chief among them was a $1,000 payment to those who completed lifeguard training to ght pool postponements and decreasing operating hours.

Now, out of necessity, hiring lifeguards is ongoing throughout the entire summer season, Brehm said. Lifeguards for South Suburban make between $15 and $19.14 per hour, per South Suburban’s website. A head lifeguard makes $15.75 - $19.93 per hour.

But there are additional costs to South Suburban. ough life-