Boston Flora

Tag: Robert Gegear

  • Wednesday, May 8, 7:00 pm – Pollination Networks and Ecosystem Restoration

    For almost two decades, pollinators have been declining in abundance, species richness, and geographic distribution at an unprecedented rate worldwide. These declines pose a significant threat to global biodiversity due to the keystone role that pollinators play in terrestrial ecosystems – more pollinator species means more plant species, and more plant species means more food, shelter, and nest sites for wildlife at other trophic levels. Yet, we presently lack the information on pollinator-plant connections or ‘networks’ at the species level needed to fully assess the impact of human activities on ecosystem health. Please join Dr. Robert J. Gegear for a discussion on how the concept of pollination networks can be used to develop effective ecosystem restoration strategies at different spatial scales. The May 8 program of the Athol Bird and Nature Club will begin at 7 pm at The Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street, Athol. The program is free and open to the public. For more information visit http://atholbirdclub.org.

    Image result for pollination ecology

  • 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.

    Image result for robert gegear wpi

  • Sunday, October 28, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – Pollinator Symposium

    On Sunday, October 28, at the Susan N. McLane Audubon Center in Concord, New Hampshire, attend a day-long symposium to discuss interactions between native plants and pollinators and learn how to combat the pollinator crisis through panels and workshops led by specialists in the field. The symposium addresses such topics as: researching and tracking different types of native pollinators, creating and growing gardens that support the region’s native pollinators, and selecting the most effective pollinator-friendly native plants for particular habitats and ecoregions. With an engaging keynote by Dr. Robert Gegear, creator of The Beecology Project, this symposium offers a fitting culmination to a summer of pollinator programs and a vision for next steps. Register and be part of the solution!  $75 for members of the sponsoring organizations, the New England Wild Flower Society, New Hampshire Audubon, and the New England Field Office of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, $90 for nonmembers. Photo from the Times Free Press. Register at http://www.newenglandwild.org/learn/our-programs/pollinator-symposium

    Image result for pollinator symposium 2018

  • Sunday, May 21, 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm – Pollinator Friendly Gardening

    Pollinators are declining at an unprecedented rate worldwide due to human-induced rapid environmental change. These declines pose a significant threat to our food supply and consequently, there has been major focus on the development and implementation of conservation strategies to maintain pollination services to crop plants. However, the overwhelming majority of current strategies do not consider the keystone role that pollinators play in natural ecosystems, making them an ineffective tool for maintaining and restoring biodiversity. Dr. Robert Gegear of WPI Department of Biology and Biotechnology will discuss the importance of developing an ecologically-focused approach to developing and maintaining your garden, citing examples from his ongoing field research in Massachusetts. The lecture will take place Sunday, May 21 from 1 – 3 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, Massachusetts. He will also provide information on how to identify local bumblebee species in order to help you assess the ecological ‘friendliness’ of your garden. After the presentation, join Dr. Gegear in a walk through the gardens to learn how your new knowledge can be put into practice. Free with admission to the Garden.  Image from www.whiteflowerfarm.com.

  • Saturday, June 18, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon – “Bee-cology” Crowdsourcing Project

    Our native bees are under threat.  Join Dr. Robert Gegear of WPI on Saturday, June 18 from 10 – 12 at Tower Hill Botanic Garden in his “Bee-cology” Crowdsourcing Project.  We’ll begin with a short presentation on bumblebee behavior, ecology and identification, then help by identifying bumblebees at Tower Hill.  Use this information to develop a bumblebee-friendly garden in your backyard.  Free with admission, but pre-registration required at www.towerhillbg.org.

    AR-150719371

  • Wednesday, September 9, 7:00 pm – Crowdsourcing the Causes and Consequences of Bumblebee Decline

    The Athol Bird and Nature Club will hold its September meeting on Wednesday, September 9 beginning at 7:30 pm at the Millers River Environmental Center, 100 Main Street in Athol. Dr. Rob Gegear will speak on Crowdsourcing the Causes and Consequences of Bumblebee Decline. Rob will discuss bumblebee ecology and behavior. Will also learn to recognize bumblebees their lifecycle, and information on some citizen science research opportunities. Robert J. Gegear, Ph.D. is Assistant Professor, Department of Biology and Biotechnology, at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. Free and open to the public.