Boston Flora

Tag: Bees

  • Wednesday, April 3, 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm – More Than Just The Buzz: Finding Real Solutions to Native Pollinator Decline

    For almost two decades, pollinators have been declining in abundance, species richness, and geographic distribution at an unprecedented rate worldwide. While media attention has focused largely on the domesticated European honeybee, the decline of our native species poses a significant threat to global biodiversity due to the keystone role that pollinators play in terrestrial ecosystems. On April 3 at 7 pm at the Cambridge Public Library, 449 Broadway in Cambridge, biologist Robert Gegear, Assistant Professor of Biology, Worcester Polytechnic Institute will explain the beautifully complex interactions between plant species and the insects that pollinate them— intricate ecological systems that we humans are only beginning to understand. Join us to learn how Dr. Gegear’s research on pollination ‘networks’ can help develop truly effective conservation and restoration strategies, and come away with scientifically informed and practical actions you can take to support these vital insects.

    Dr. Robert Gegear is the founder of the Bee-cology Project, an initiative that uses citizen science to collect much-needed ecological data on native pollinator species and pollinator habitat. The Grow Native Massachusetts talk is free and open to the public.

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  • Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Native Bees in the Hood

    Tuesday, March 5, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm – Native Bees in the Hood

    Perhaps surprisingly, urban environments support a high diversity of native bee species. But where are they living and what are they eating? In this March 5 Arnold Arboretum workshop, you will first learn about the biology and diversity of native bees and why they are important pollinators. We’ll dive into the city lifestyles of bees and the strategies they employ to be successful in these anthropogenic landscapes. In the second part of the workshop, we’ll focus on native bee decline and conservation, and learn answers to common questions such as: Why are bees dying? Do all bees need saving? What can I do to help bees at home? You’ll also learn the fundamentals of gardening for bees, and at the end of the workshop, have the opportunity to build and leave with a mason and leafcutter bee hotel. This workshop, taught by Nick Dorian, will extend your interest in native pollinators and equip you with the knowledge essential to supporting populations of native bees. Photo of Cuckoo Bee below from  http://nativebeesofnewengland.com.

    Fee $15. Meets in Hunnewell Building, 125 Arborway, Boston, beginning at 6:30 pm.  Co-sponsored by Agricultural Hall and the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University Register at my.arboretum.harvard.edu or call 617-384-5277.

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  • Saturday, February 16, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Raising Nucs (Nucleus Colonies): A Valuable Skill for All Beekeepers

    Most beekeepers lose some colonies every year and will need replacement colonies. Raising your own nucs allows the beekeeper to accomplish several things at the same time: swarming can be controlled, varroa mites can be partially managed, and great replacement colonies and queens can be produced with minimal investment. It also is a very enjoyable and rewarding pursuit. The Berkshire Botanical Garden will conduct a class on Saturday, February 16 from 10 – 12. BBG members $10, nonmembers $15. Register at www.berkshirebotanical.org or call 413-298-3926.

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  • Tuesday, January 22, 9:30 am – A “Bee” Program

    The Needham Garden Club will host Susan Robinson on Tuesday, January 22 at 9:30 am at the Needham Public Library, 1139 Highland Street in needham Heights. Ms. Robinson will present a “Bee” program, open to the public. $5 for non-NGC attendees.  Susan runs an organic honey business, Buzz 10 Honey, and teaches students at Norfolk County Agricultural High School. For more information visit http://www.needhamgardenclub.com/

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  • Thursday, September 13, 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Beekeeping & Honey Talk

    Dave Strickler of the Boston Area Beekeepers Association will give a talk on Thursday, September 13 from 6 – 7 on honeybees in urban environments, what it’s like to raise honeybees in your backyard, and the small things you can do to help honeybees flourish. The free talk will take place at the Parker Hill branch of the Boston Public Library, 1497 Tremont Street in Roxbury. For more information visit 617-427-3820.

    Dave will bring a sampling of honeys from all over the world for a tasting that will delight your taste buds and change the way you think about honey.

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  • Sunday, August 12, 2:00 pm – Our Native Massachusetts Bees

    Join the Athol Bird& Nature Club on Sunday, August 12 at 2 pm at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol, for an Open House and lecture on Our Native Massachusetts Bees. Can you tell a bee from a wasp? What about a native bee from a honey bee? What is a bee and where does it live? The University of Massachusetts Bee Lab members -Andrea Sroka, Aliza Fassler, and Phoebe Hynes — will have specimens of bees and their look-alikes on hand for you to look at under a microscope. You will also learn about native bee nesting strategies and how to help bees in your backyards. Free.  For more information visit www.atholbirdclub.org

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  • Saturday, August 11, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Beecology Basics

    Native pollinator diversity is declining at an alarming rate in many areas of Massachusetts at for unknown reasons. The New England Beecology project aims to fill this critical knowledge gap by training ‘beecologists’ from across the state on how to use our newly developed iPhone and Android phone apps to collect ecological data on different bumblebee species and then send it to our central database where it can be used to identify key factors driving species decline. This workshop will cover the major issues associated with wild pollinator decline, provide training on how to use our smartphone technology, and give you information on how to incorporate ecological pollinator conservation strategies in your own backyard. The August 11 Tower Hill Botanic Garden presentation at 10 – 12 will be followed by a walk in the gardens to look for bumblebees and practice using the app. Free with admission to Tower Hill. To register, visit www.towerhillbg.org.

    Dr. Robert J. Gegear is an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Biology and Biotechnology at Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Director of the New England Beecology Project.

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  • Saturday, August 4, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – Pollinator-Friendly Gardens and Landscapes

    Bees and other pollinators are all the buzz these days. Pollinator populations are crashing locally and worldwide, but these tiny forms of wildlife are vital to food production, pest management, and environmental stability. Even in a small backyard, you can help support pollinators through careful plant choices and a basic knowledge of the varied habitat needs of native bees and other beneficial insects. In this Tower Hill Botanic Garden class with Ellen Sousa on August 4 from 10 – noon, you’ll learn to identify some of the good – and bad – bugs flying around your gardens, and at the same time welcome a whole new dimension to your enjoyment of gardening and the natural world. We’ll also spend some time exploring the gardens looking for pollinators in their garden habitats.

    Ellen Sousa is a garden coach, designer and author from Turkey Hill Brook Farm in Spencer MA, a small native plant nursery and habitat farm. Since 2007, Ellen has worked with homeowners, landowners and non-profit organizations to design and manage landscapes that support local biodiversity. She is the author of the book The Green Garden: A New England Guide to Planning, Planting & Maintaining the Eco-friendly Habitat Garden. Tower Hill member price $20, non-members $30. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Sunday, August 5, 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – Native Bees and Native Plants: You May Be Missing Half the Equation

    When you plant native plants you indirectly invite their pollinators. We know that, but how much do you really know about them? Do you know that a well planted garden can support over 100 species? Do you know that they are nothing like honey bees? No allergic reactions. Single moms putting their nests throughout your lawn. Some specialized species only using the pollen from one of your plants. Do you know that you can identify them using butterfly binoculars? That your yard is part of the solution to pollinator decline? Well, if you know all these things, then very good, but if not, come to Tower Hill Botanic Garden on August 5 from 1 – 2 and see Sam Droege illuminate these and other facts about the secret bee garden you have or will create with the up close pictures his lab crafts.

    Sam Droege is a wildlife biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, part of the US Geological Survey. He is widely published in journals and has been the editor of numerous government publications on birds and insects. His work cataloging and photographing native bees has been featured by NPR, The Weather Channel, and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as in numerous publications including Wired, the Wall Street Journal, and Popular Science. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at http://www.discoverlife.org, and with Jessica Zelt reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. His group maintains high resolution photographs of insects and other macro natural history objects at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/ Fee is $10 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

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  • Sunday, August 5, 10:00 am – 11:30 am – Bee Safari

    On Sunday, August 5 from 10 – 11:30 am, join native bee expert Sam Droege on an expedition through Tower Hill Botanic Garden’s gardens and meadows to discover the diversity of bees that live there. Bring close focusing binoculars if you have them and load this on your smartphone: http://bio2.elmira.edu/fieldbio/beesofmarylandbookversion1.pdf

    Sam Droege is a wildlife biologist at the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, part of the US Geological Survey. He is widely published in journals and has been the editor of numerous government publications on birds and insects. His work cataloging and photographing native bees has been featured by NPR, The Weather Channel, and the National Wildlife Federation, as well as in numerous publications including Wired, the Wall Street Journal, and Popular Science. Currently he is developing an inventory and monitoring program for native bees, online identification guides for North American bees at http://www.discoverlife.org, and with Jessica Zelt reviving the North American Bird Phenology Program. His group maintains high resolution photographs of insects and other macro natural history objects at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/usgsbiml/

    The session fee is $10 for Tower Hill members, $20 for nonmembers. Register at www.towerhillbg.org.

    Image result for sam droege bee photos