Événement

Bumble Bees & Orchard Bees; Understanding & Rearing Native Pollinators

Many native bee species such as sweat, mason and bumble bees are in decline despite efforts to augment landscapes with flowers. The direct causes of these declines are unclear, making conservation efforts difficult.

In this two-part workshop, Tufts PhD biology candidate and bumble bee researcher, Nick Dorian, will first explain why native bees are important pollinators, what threatens bees, and how you can help stem their declines.

In the second part of this workshop, we will dive into the world of bumble bees. We will talk about what makes bumble bees especially good pollinators relative to honeybees and how you can establish your own bumble bee colony in spring. Nick will demonstrate all the steps of rearing a bumble bee colony, from collecting queens in spring to preparing bumble bee food to ensuring that your colony thrives once placed outdoors in summer. This workshop will equip you with knowledge essential to rearing bumble bee colonies as well as help to support your interest in native bee conservation.

Finally, everyone will have a chance to construct a simple mason bee house just in time for their early spring arrival. Please bring an empty tin can from 5-7 inches deep. (Why? You'll find out...)