The Palisade Insectary will host its 80th Anniversary Celebration on Thursday to recognize its eight decades of work in establishing biological controls for pests and weeds.

Gov. Jared Polis has proclaimed Aug. 14 as Palisade Insectary Day in recognition of its long service to Colorado and the Western United States, according to a press release from the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA).

"Colorado is known for its strong agricultural sector, diverse ecosystem, and wild open spaces," Polis said in a statement. "Conserving Colorado's natural ecosystem and supporting our farmers is a large task, and thanks to the work of scientists, like the ones at CDA's Palisade's Insectary, we are reducing the amount of pest species, invasive weeds and our overreliance on pesticides. We are helping farmers and ranchers save money and keeping our agricultural economy growing for generations to come."

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The Insectary's 80th Anniversary Celebration is open to the public and will offer family-friendly activities like tours of the facility and opportunities to meet with Insectary and CDA staff. It is being held from 4-7 p.m. on Thursday from at the Insectary, 750 37 8/10 Road in Palisade.

Founded in 1945, the Palisade Insectary is the oldest biological control facility of its kind in the United States, according to the release. It was initially established to combat the Oriental Fruit Moth, a destructive peach pest, with the release of the "Mac" wasp (Macrocentrus ancylivorus). Today it provides over two million wasps annually to farmers.

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"For 80 years, the Palisade Insectary has been at the forefront of putting beneficial insects to work, providing effective and environmentally sound solutions for managing invasive weeds and pests across farms, ranches, and native ecosystems," Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg said in a statement. "The Insectary's work reduces the need for chemical pesticides, saves money for producers, and helps establish natural, permanent pest control options, benefiting Colorado's agriculture, economy and environment for generations to come."

Over its 80-year history, the Insectary has developed more than 90 different biological agents to control invasive weed and insect species. It has helped develop partial control of tamarisk, an invasive shrub, which has seen a 50% decrease on Colorado's Western Slope, among other achievements.