Bees will receive front-yard attention at the State Fair this year. An outdoor garden display at the Eco Experience building is dedicated to raising awareness about declining bees and other pollinators, and what homeowners can do to protect their habitats.

At noon each day speakers will talk about how to transform a front yard to be more bee-friendly, why urban beekeeping is great for cities, and why protecting native plants and native bees can help pollinate crops.

The display will include rain gardens with flowers that support pollinators and help improve water quality in cities and towns.

The exhibit will also include straw bale gardens that require less weeding and watering, and close-up views of beehives that are not occupied by real bees.

The Eco Experience building includes dozens of exhibits to learn more about clean air and water, saving energy, climate change, recycling, healthy local food, gardening, transportation, and green building and remodeling.

The Minnesota State Fair is open from Aug. 21 to Sept. 1.