Native bees are essential for pollinating 85% of the world’s flowering plants, and their conservation is vital to environmental and human health. They’re also fascinating and beautiful – well worth an up-close look. Join us for an overview of Oregon’s native bees, followed by a bee survey in the garden. You’ll have a chance to examine some bees through dissecting scopes as well as to catch and release some as we take a guided tour of the Garden. We’ll record our finds on iNaturalist, and will teach you how to do that so you have the option to contribute your own observations in the future.
Instructor Jess Tyler holds an MS degree in environmental Science from PSU and currently works on insect conservation with the Center for Biological Conservation. His research included working with volunteers to monitor pollinators at community fruit tree orchards in the Portland area. He surveys for Oregon Bee Project, with an emphasis on Leach Garden.