Native Bees and Pollinators of the PNW

When we think of bees and pollinators, it's likely we have the image of a European honey bee (Apis mellifera). However, honey bees, while crucial to much of our food production system, are the exception rather than the rule when it comes to bees and their life histories. In North America alone, there are approximately 3,600 species of native bees, with about 90% of them living solitary lives. In the broader world of pollinators, bees are just one group of organisms out of many (butterflies, flies, beetles, and more) that over 80% of flowering plants rely on for reproduction. Come learn more about the diverse world of PNW native bees and pollinators and take a guided walk among the restored prairie lands of the Pacific Rim Institute on Whidbey Island.

Aidan Hersh is a macro-photographer and board member at the Washington Native Bee Society, where he is working to spread awareness about the native bees of Washington State. He has a particular interest in Pacific Northwest bumble bees and is conducting field surveys throughout Whatcom County and the North Cascades National Park this summer.