Gateway Technical College opened its bee barn at the Joseph and Kathy Madrigrano-supported Center for Sustainable Living on its Kenosha Campus, a building which will be a focal point on the college’s effort to raise awareness of the dramatic expiration of millions of bees in the last decade.

The project includes a new garden which attracts pollinators such as bees, informative signage, a bee activity curriculum, teaching aids and a remodeled barn which will become the center for all the bee activities. Activities will be open to community members as well elementary- through high school-aged students.

“The center will help us to highlight the affect pollinators such as bees have on our daily lives which often goes unrecognized,” said Gateway Technical College President and CEO Bryan Albrecht.

Center for Sustainable Living manager Kallie Johnson will lead the effort, including teaching the two-hour learning sessions to area students. Some course specifics are being finalized, but Johnson says there are others which will be open to area students beginning mid-October.

Kathy and Joseph Madrigrano Jr. donated $20,000 to the Gateway Technical College Foundation Inc. to be used at the bee barn. Called colony collapse disorder, experts say this problem has the potential to affect the world’s food supply as plants are deprived of their main pollinator.