Bee City USA

Pinellas County Fall Wildflower & Pollinator Festival
2023-10-07 09:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL, 34688, United States
The Fall Wildflower and Pollinator Festival returns this year with a day of fun for the whole family! On Saturday October 7 from 9:00 to 4:00 you can celebrate Florida Wildflowers and the Pollinators that support us all. A native plant sale will feature vendors from our area with plants that are beautiful, pollinator-friendly and best suited for our climate. Kid’s crafts will focus on make-and-take projects to support pollinators in our own yards and neighborhoods. There will be a Pollinator Encounter tent to experience these helpful, harmless insects close-up, thanks to our friends at the Florida Museum of Natural History in Gainesville. Various organizations will be available to answer questions about growing wildflowers, attracting pollinators, and being a good friend to Nature in Pinellas County! Refreshments, music and more await you at this free event. Pinellas County Wildflower and Pollinator Festival. Saturday, October 7, 2023. 9:00 – 4:00. Brooker Creek Preserve, 3940 Keystone Road, Tarpon Springs, FL 34688.

In the Life of Bees: Nesting in Darkness
2023-10-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
This event will be recorded and posted to: The Xerces Youtube Channel

When you think of bees, you probably imagine the things they do on sunny days, like flying around and pollinating flowers. But this is only half of the story, as most of the 20,000 species of bees found around the world nest belowground, and spend the majority of their lives in darkness. What are they doing underground? How do they navigate their burrows and communicate with other bees? What happens when it rains? There are many interesting questions surrounding this lifestyle, and also plenty of uncertainties remaining to be resolved about subterranean living. In this webinar, we will learn about the diversity of ways that bees live and reproduce belowground, and we’ll ponder some of those unsolved mysteries. We’ll also talk about how the belowground lifestyle affects threats to bees, such as exposure to pesticides and pathogens. This webinar will cover some bees you may be familiar with, such as bumble bees, but we’ll be focusing our time on soil-nesters who we generally know less about, including the many solitary bees that do not live in colonies.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Leif Richardson – Conservation Biologist & California Bumble Bee Atlas – Xerces Society
Leif is a conservation biologist who coordinates the California Bumble Bee Atlas project. His research focuses on the ecology, distribution, and declines of North American bumble bees. Leif previously worked as an environmental consultant, studying pesticide risk to bee pollinators, and as an ecologist for Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department. He is co-author of a range of scientific publications on bees, including Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide (2014, Princeton University Press), the standard reference manual on this group of insects. He is an expert in the inventory and identification of bumble bees, and has extensive experience training others to collect bumble bee distribution data in the field. Leif holds a Master’s degree from the University of Arizona and a PhD from Dartmouth College.

28th Annual Symbolic Monarch Migration to Mexico with Bee City USA - Hendersonville
2023-10-20 | Hendersonville, NC, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC, 28792, United States
From the Hendersonville area, the monarch migration is an epic journey to Mexico covering at least 2,000 miles. Like clockwork, the first migrating monarchs typically reach their over-wintering habitats high in the mountains of central Mexico by the first of November. To celebrate this amazing feat, more than 10,000 children from across the United States and Canada will participate in the 28th annual Symbolic Monarch Migration by creating paper butterflies to send to Mexico for the winter. Local classrooms, youth organizations, and individual students are invited to join them.
These symbolic butterflies will correspond with the living monarchs’ actual journey south … and as the real-life monarchs arrive in Mexico for the winter, the symbolic butterflies will be delivered to schools in the area of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve. Sometime in spring after the living monarchs’ departure from Mexico, groups of paper butterflies will also return north carrying special messages from the students in Mexico. United by the monarch butterfly, children across North America learn authentic lessons of conservation, cooperation, and ambassadorship.
As funding allows, any group (up to 30 participants) of youth located within the City of Hendersonville and/or Henderson County may take part in the program at no cost. Individual students who are not part of a registered classroom or group may also participate at no charge by creating a paper butterfly and mailing or delivering it to Bullington Gardens by Friday, October 20, 2023 (95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville 28792).

Bee City & Bee Campus USA Virtual Affiliate Meetup: Southeast Region
2023-10-25 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Join Laurie Hamon, Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Conservation Biologist for a short presentation on the Southeastern Bee Atlas, followed by an extended Q&A and group discussion with Laurie and Bee City and Bee Campus USA National Coordinator Laura Rost. This is an opportunity to share your successes, ask for advice, and connect with your fellow affiliate cities and campuses.
Feel free to join us if you are a Bee City or Bee Campus affiliate in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.
More regional meetings to come!
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Laurie Hamon
Endangered Species Conservation Biologist
The Xerces Society
Laurie is the project manager for the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas, a community science project to track and conserve bumble bees in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. She earned her PhD at North Carolina State University, where she conducted her thesis on the pollination ecology of Venus flytraps. She has conducted survey work for multiple rare insect species and investigated insect communities in urban pollinator gardens. Laurie has previous experience coordinating a community science project to monitor butterflies at a biological reserve in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. When the work day ends, Laurie enjoys making art and spending time outdoors.
Header Photo Credit: Bee Campus East Carolina University, NC

ERC Speaker Series: Impactful Pollinator Conservation Initiative at University of Illinois Chicago
2023-11-14 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | Online
THE ENERGY RESOURCES CENTER PRESENTS
ERC Speaker Series: Impactful Pollinator Conservation Initiative at University of Illinois Chicago
Tuesday, November 14, 2023 – 11:00 AM Central
As the first campus in Illinois to be certified as a Bee Campus USA, the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) is dedicated to enhancing and expanding pollinator habitat on campus. UIC’s impact expands far beyond the campus, however. The Energy Resources Center (ERC) at UIC supports pollinators nationwide by facilitating the Rights-of-Way as Habitat Working Group, a cross-sector collaboration to support habitat conservation on working lands. Learn more about the diverse ways that different groups across UIC are working to protect pollinators both now and in the future through this co-hosted webinar by the ERC and the Office of Planning, Sustainability, and Project Management at UIC.
Register here

In the Life of Western Monarchs: A Community Science Approach to Conservation
2023-11-16 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
This event will be recorded and posted to: The Xerces YouTube Channel

Join Isis Howard, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, to talk about the powerful ways community science is shaping the conservation of western monarch butterflies. From surveying monarchs and their milkweed host plants in the summer to counting butterflies clustering along the west coast in the winter, learn how everyday individuals are collecting important data to protect an iconic species.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Isis Howard – Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Western Monarch Community Science – Xerces Society
As an endangered species conservation biologist, Isis works in California to protect and support the western population of monarch butterflies. She manages several community science projects, including the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count and the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, and provides support to land managers and the public on maintaining and restoring western monarch breeding habitat. Prior to joining Xerces, Isis worked for a resource conservation district and the North Coast Soil Hub, advancing climate adaptation work in the agricultural sector, engaging diverse community partners, and expanding the RCDs’ western monarch and pollinator program. Originally from Sonoma County, CA, Isis is an experienced outdoor educator and holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental management and protection with a minor in biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In her free time, Isis enjoys listening to podcasts, trying new creative outlets, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.

In the Life of Monarchs East of the Rockies: Biology and the Great Migration
2023-12-07 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
This event will be recorded and posted to: The Xerces Youtube Channel

Dr. Ray Moranz will begin by presenting on the basic aspects of monarch biology, including the life cycle, the use for milkweeds as host plant, the incorporation of cardiac glycosides as a chemical defense, and the vulnerability of this species to various predators, parasites, parasitoids and diseases. However, the heart of the talk will be on monarch migration, and how monarch biology changes in fascinating ways from month to month as they move from one region of North America to another. He will do his best to provide information relevant to people from Saskatchewan to Mexico City, and from Nova Scotia to Cuba, and everywhere in between. He will conclude by talking about some things you can do to help monarchs where you live.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Ray Moranz – Grazing Lands Pollinator Ecologist, Partner Biologist for the NRCS Central National Technology Support Center – Xerces Society
Ray works to conserve pollinators on rangelands in the central U.S., and he also serves as a Partner Biologist to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Central National Technology Support Center in Fort Worth, TX. He is based at the NRCS Field Office in Stillwater, Oklahoma. One focus of his work is to assist in the planning and implementation of monarch butterfly conservation efforts in the south central U.S.. Ray began studying the effects of fire and grazing on prairie plant and butterfly communities in 2004, and earned his Ph.D. in natural resource ecology and management from Oklahoma State University in 2010. Prior to joining the Xerces Society, he worked for The Nature Conservancy in Florida, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in California, Iowa State University, and Oklahoma State University.

Pollinators in the Urban Environment
2023-12-08 06:00 - 08:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join the Xerces Society as we present on Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA to an international audience!
Promote Pollinators is looking forward to hosting an online event on December 8th at 15:00 CET (6:00 AM – 8:00 AM PT/ 7:00 AM – 9:00 AM MT/ 8:00 AM – 10:00 AM CT/ 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM ET). The free webinar will focus on Pollinators in the urban environment.

The webinar aims to share knowledge on the relevance of pollinators in the urban environment and to showcase examples of urban pollinator policies and initiatives. We want to enhance attention with other cities and city-influencers and identify facilitators that help cities to develop and implement pollinators strategies. The webinar will last about 2 hours and will be divided into two parts: presentations and panel discussions between experts.
This event will not be recorded. Learn more and register here today.
Program
Presentations
The presentations about pollinators in the urban environment will be held by various experts.

State of the art science

Katherine Baldock (Nortumbria University)

The national perspective

Mexico, Sol Ortiz Garcia (Mexican Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development)

What is happening in cities?

Montreal – Michel St-Germain (Montreal Insectarium Museum)
Tallinn – Meelis Uustal (Tallinn City Government)
Nairobi – Wanja Kinuthia

The Bee City and Bee Campus USA Initiatives

Mace Vaughan (Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation)

Panel discussion
The presentations will be followed by panel discussions. Leading questions:

what are critical success factors for good urban pollinator initiatives?
(how) can urban pollinator initiatives contribute to science and awareness?
how can other governmental levels support the development of urban pollinator initiatives?

Would you like to participate?
You can sign up for the webinar here. The webinar will be broadcast live aii 15:00 CET. You can help us by sharing the link with your network and inviting other professionals working on pollinator protection. We look forward to your attendance! The webinar will be held in English and is open to the public, both members and non-members are invited to attend.
About Promote Pollinators
Promote Pollinators, the Coalition of the Willing on Pollinators, is a coalition of countries and observers who believe that country-led politics can foster policy measures and innovative action to protect pollinators. Pollinators play a key role in the conservation of biological diversity, ecosystems, food production and the global economy. The effects of current human activities hamper animal pollination. Promote Pollinators reaches out to potential new partners to develop and implement national pollinator strategies.

Mace Vaughn – Pollinator and Agricultural Biodiversity Co-Director – Xerces Society
Mace Vaughan serves as the Xerces Society’s Pollinator and Ag Biodiversity Program Co-Director and as a Partner Biologist and Conservation Entomologist to the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Mace has 25 years of experience working on insect and pollinator conservation issues across the U.S. and abroad, where he has helped to improve federal and state policy, implement national conservation programs, restore habitat, write guidelines, teach diverse audiences, and conduct research and monitoring to conserve biodiversity.

Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA reporting window opens
2024-01-08 | Online
Log in to fill out your Bee City or Bee Campus annual report on the “Renewal” tab. Pay your renewal fee on the “Fee Payment” tab.
If your city or campus was certified in 2022 or earlier: your renewal report and annual fee are due in February 29, 2024. If you are one of our first 60 affiliates, you are an early adopter and do not need to pay the renewal fee.
If your city or campus was certified in 2023: your renewal report and annual fee are due in February 28, 2025
If this is your first year of reporting and are wondering what’s involved, check out some of last year’s reports for inspiration.
Thank you!

Proposal window open: Mid-Atlantic Monarch And Pollinator Habitat Kit Program
2024-01-19 - 2024-02-18 | Online
The proposal window is open now through February 18 for the Xerces Society’s Mid-Atlantic Monarch and Pollinator Kits! Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might qualify (including Bee Cities and Bee Campuses!):
🌻 Qualifying projects: Urban farms, community gardens and spaces, working lands, public lands and tribal lands. Not for residential/private homes.
🌻 Qualifying locations: Mid-Atlantic and NYC region
🌻 Special kit features: Supports monarch butterflies and native pollinators
🌻 Project proposals: January 19 – February 18, 2024
🌻 Kit pickup: May to June
Learn more and submit a proposal

Bee City Open House: Pesticides, Policy, & You
2024-01-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join Rosemary Malfi and Aaron Anderson from the Xerces Society’s Pesticide Team for an “ask me anything”-style open house! Rosemary and Aaron will give short presentations, with case studies on practical pesticide reduction outreach and policy reform ideas. We will have plenty of time for a Q&A and group discussion on anything pesticide and policy related. This session is for anyone living or working in a Bee City and Bee Campus.
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.
Speakers:
Rosemary Malfi
Pesticide Program Specialist, Policy Lead – The Xerces Society
Rosemary Malfi (she/her) serves as the policy lead for the pesticide program at the Xerces Society, where she is working to support and advocate for policy solutions to reduce pesticide use. Rosemary holds a Ph.D. in environmental sciences from the University of Virginia (2015) and completed postdoctoral research positions in entomology at UC Davis and in Biology at UMass Amherst. Before coming to Xerces, Rosemary worked at the Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA/Mass), where she spent two years coordinating a grassroots network of community groups dedicated to pollinator protection and pesticide reform in Massachusetts. Rosemary lives with her family on the land of the Massachusett people in Salem, where she enjoys gardening, bird-watching, and raising two young nature lovers.
Aaron Anderson
Pesticide Program Specialist, Towns and Cities Lead – The Xerces Society
Aaron Anderson works with the public and Xerces staff to reduce pesticide use in residential landscapes, including promoting alternative pest control measures and pollinator-friendly gardening practices. Prior to joining Xerces in 2022, he researched pollinator conservation in urban landscapes, restored habitat for several endangered butterfly species, and worked in insect biocontrol. Aaron has a PhD from Oregon State University, and outside of work you can probably find him riding his bike, science writing, or fiddling with old cameras.
Laura Rost
National Coordinator, Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA – The Xerces Society

In the Life of Beetles: Superstars of soil health, pollination, and more!
2024-01-25 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
This event will be recorded and posted to: The Xerces Society Youtube Channel

Beetles are one of the most diverse groups of insects on the planet and are endlessly fascinating. Join Jennifer Hopwood to learn more about how beetles are helping us in myriad ways, by contributing to soil health, controlling crop and garden pests, pollinating plants; and learn more about steps we can take to help them.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Jennifer Hopwood – Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Midwest – Xerces Society
Jennifer provides resources and training for pollinator and beneficial insect habitat management and restoration in a variety of landscapes. She oversees a team of four USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service partner biologists and works closely with the NRCS. Jennifer has authored a number of publications and articles, and is co-author of several books, including Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, 100 Plants to Feed the Bees, and a roadside revegetation manual. Jennifer has a master’s degree in entomology from the University of Kansas. Along with work as a research specialist conducting invertebrate field research and identification, Jennifer was an instructor in biology and environmental science at Iowa State University and Des Moines Area Community College prior to joining Xerces in 2009.

Proposal window open: Wisconsin Pollinator Habitat Kits
2024-01-30 - 2024-03-06 | Online
The proposal window is open now through March 6 for the Xerces Society’s Wisconsin Pollinator Habitat Kits! Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might qualify (including Bee Cities and Bee Campuses!):
🌿 Qualifying projects: Working lands or community food initiatives
🌿 Qualifying locations: Wisconsin
🌿 Special kit features: Supports monarch butterflies, native pollinators, and beneficial insects
🌿 Project proposals: January 30 – March 6, 2024
🌿 Kit pickup: June
Learn more and submit a proposal

Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count Announcement: The Numbers Are In!
2024-01-30 11:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
This event will be recorded and posted to: The Xerces Society Youtube Channel.

How many monarch butterflies were counted in the Western US this overwintering season? Find out the grand tally for the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving count, and learn what this year’s numbers mean in terms of monarch conservation moving forward.
Join Isis Howard for the live announcement of Thanksgiving count findings and a summary of volunteer and partner effort. This webinar will highlight data collected during the 2023 Thanksgiving count, which ran for three weeks between 11/11/23 – 12/3/23. (New Year’s count data will be published separately to WesternMonarchCount.org in late February).
Many thanks to the volunteers, partners and funders who made this effort possible!

Isis Howard – Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Western Monarch Community Science – Xerces Society
As an endangered species conservation biologist, Isis works in California to protect and support the western population of monarch butterflies. She manages several community science projects, including the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count and the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, and provides support to land managers and the public on maintaining and restoring western monarch breeding habitat. Prior to joining Xerces, Isis worked for a resource conservation district and the North Coast Soil Hub, advancing climate adaptation work in the agricultural sector, engaging diverse community partners, and expanding the RCDs’ western monarch and pollinator program. Originally from Sonoma County, CA, Isis is an experienced outdoor educator and holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental management and protection with a minor in biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In her free time, Isis enjoys listening to podcasts, trying new creative outlets, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.

Bee City & Bee Campus USA Virtual Affiliate Meetup: North Central Region﻿
2024-01-31 12:30 - 13:30 (America/North_Dakota/Center) | Online
Join Micah Kloppenburg, Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Specialist for a short presentation on urban connectivity, followed by an extended Q&A and group discussion. This is an opportunity to share your successes, ask for advice, and connect with your fellow affiliate cities and campuses.
Feel free to join us if you are a Bee City or Bee Campus affiliate in Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.
Micah Kloppenburg
Wisconsin Pollinator Conservation Specialist
The Xerces Society

As the Wisconsin Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Micah provides technical assistance to agricultural producers, land stewards, and community groups interested in creating and protecting pollinator habitat. Previously, Micah worked as an ecologist for a WI non-profit where he supported land owners in achieving their habitat protection and restoration goals; and, for a county parks department where he developed and led creative conservation activities and programming for youth and community groups. Micah holds a Master’s degree in restoration ecology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he studied plant community change in remnant hillside prairies in the Driftless region. He enjoys canoeing, dabbling in jewelry metal art, and growing as many onions and garlic as he and his family can fit in their small garden.

Group photo credit: Bee Campus USA South Dakota State University
Staff photo credit: Micah Kloppenburg

Proposal window open: Detroit Pollinator Habitat Kits
2024-02-05 - 2024-03-16 | Online
The proposal window is open now through March 16 for the Xerces Society’s Detroit Pollinator Habitat Kits! Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might qualify:
🦋 Qualifying projects: Historically underserved and community-serving urban farms, community gardens, and community organizations
🦋 Qualifying locations: Metro Detroit, MI
🦋 Special kit features: Emphasis on urban agricultural landscapes and habitat aesthetics in cities; native plants attractive to pollinators, natural enemies of pests, and your community.
🦋 Project proposals: February 5 – March 16, 2024
🦋 Kit pickup: Late May / Early June
Learn more and submit a proposal

Asheville’s 5th Annual Great Buzz Gathering
2024-02-10 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles)
Got the winter blues? Bee City USA-Asheville (NC) has the fix! It’s time for the 5th annual Great Buzz Gathering. Join us to hear about 6 inspiring local pollinator initiatives on Saturday, February 10th at The Grey Eagle. Come around noon and purchase a delicious lunch and beverage at the Grey Eagle Taqueria and meet our speakers at their information tables. At 1:00, relax and hear our speakers’ inspiring presentations until 2:00. Afterwards, follow up with any speakers who piqued your interest at their tables. Register at the URL provided.
See you February 10th?

Proposal window open: California Monarch and Pollinator Kits
2024-02-12 - 2024-04-05 | Online
The proposal window is open now through April 5 for the Xerces Society’s California Monarch and Pollinator Kits! Please feel free to share this with anyone you think might qualify (including Bee Cities and Bee Campuses!):
🌼 Qualifying projects: Working lands, public lands, tribal lands, and private/non-working lands recovering from wildfires
🌼 Qualifying locations: Distinct regions in California (Central Coast, Central Valley, Sierra Nevada Foothills, and Southern California)
🌼 Special kit features: Supports monarch butterflies and other pollinators, climate-smart selections
🌼 Project proposals: February 12 – April 5, 2024
🌼 Kit pickup: October – November
Learn more and submit a proposal in English or Spanish.

Plants You Can Brag About: Working with nurseries to assure pollinator-safe plants
2024-02-22 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Bee City and Bee Campus affiliates collectively form one of the country’s strongest examples of how pollinator considerations can be integrated into park management and community outreach. In this webinar, Xerces pesticide program staff member Sharon Selvaggio will present a new option to help affiliates achieve the goal of ensuring that the plants they buy are pollinator-safe – a template set of contract grow specifications designed by Xerces.
We invite you to come to this webinar to learn about this model and how you might adopt or adapt it for purchases by your city or campus This webinar will be especially meaningful for affiliate “clusters” concentrated in some regions.
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Sharon Selvaggio
Pesticide Program Specialist, Parks, Nurseries & Natural Areas Lead
The Xerces Society
Sharon assists Xerces staff, partners, and the public to reduce reliance on pesticides and understand pesticide risk to invertebrates. Sharon previously worked at Northwest Center for Alternatives to Pesticides, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Forest Service, and integrates her focus on pesticides with her experience managing natural areas and agricultural lands. Sharon earned a Master of Science in energy and resources and a Bachelor of Arts in biology, both from the University of California, Berkeley. Sharon spends a lot of time in her vegetable garden, which has an always-buzzing insectary/pollinator patch, and she is a frequent visitor to the Pacific Northwest’s wildlands for recreation.

Online: Best Practices for Pollinators Summit
2024-02-27 10:00 - 15:00 (America/Menominee) | Online
Registration is open for 2024: Feb 27, Feb 28 and Feb 29.
Learn ecologically sound land practices that promote pollinators, climate resilience, clean waters and lands. Practical knowledge and innovation on pesticide reduction, habitat installation, fostering soil health, pollinator biology, pollinator conservation and more. Co-hosts Pollinator Friendly Alliance and The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Read more.

Schedule for Feb. 27 – Feb. 29 (in process, and not in order of presentation time)

Urban soil life: Invertebrate animals and their roles in soil health, Jennifer Hopwood & Stephanie Frischie, Xerces Society
Huffman prairie: the long view, plant and animal abundance, David Nolan, Ecologist
Fungi insects, Sarah Foltz Jordan, Biologist
Native bee specialists, plant hosts, threats and conservation, Heather Holm, Biologist and author
Indigenous practices on the land, Ferin Davis Anderson, Lead Environmental Scientist, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
Restoring relationships and beneficial fire to Great Lakes forests, Evan Larson Ph.D, University of Platteville
Catastrophic Regime Shifts in Midwest Savanna Ecosystems: Restoration and Why it Matters, Stephen Thomforde, Senior Ecologist, Stantec
Monarch Habitat Management and Research Needed to Improve It, Dr. Ray Moranz, Xerces
Living with wild things, Hope Flanigan, Dream of Wild Health
Understanding wildflower forage value: Advocating for plant diversity to ranchers, Rae Powers & Sarah Hamilton-Buxton, Xerces
Supporting beneficial birds with native habitat, Shelly O’Connor, Wild Farm Alliance
Leveraging our power as plant buyers to get pollinator-safe plants, Sharon Selvaggio, Xerces Society
Importance of forests and woody habitat for pollinators, Kass-Urban Mead, Xerces
BMPs to convert old fields to pollinator habitat, Karin Jokela, Xerces Society and Gina Hugo, Sherburne County Public Works/Parks Director
Mosquito IPM in practice, Rella Abernathy, City of Boulder
and more to come

Recorded presentations from past summits are posted on two websites:

Pollinator Friendly Alliance: Webinars and Videos
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGHXSsYI7l-X3Dcb6a5ABJqMifefg5irc

Bee City and Bee Campus Renewal Reports and Fees Due
2024-02-29 | Online

Hampton, VA: "The Buzz on Bees" Lunch 'n Learn
2024-03-13 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online
A beginner’s guide to attracting pollinators year after year by Marty Wood, Bee City USA – Hampton, VA. This is the first zoom lunch and learn from the Hampton, VA Bee City USA team. Join us each month for another informative and entertaining webinar. Free event!

Sustainable Norcross GA Workshop #2: What To Plant?
2024-03-16 10:30 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Norcross GA, City Hall, Norcross, GA, United States
Ready to cultivate a vibrant garden but unsure where to start? Join our workshop for insights on selecting the perfect plants and where to find them. Enjoy a guest speaker’s expertise and an interactive presentation highlighting native and non-native pollinator-friendly options. Secure your spot at this fun, educational and sustainable event by clicking the button above. Let’s sow the seeds of knowledge together!

In The Life Of The Bumble Bee Queen (And The Cuckoo Too!)
2024-03-28 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
This event will be recorded and posted to: The Xerces Youtube Channel.

Join Rich Hatfield, Xerces Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, to take a deep dive into the reproductive females of bumble bees, including cuckoo bumble bees. We’ll primarily look at the solitary phase of the lifecycle, including what is known about where and how they hibernate, and what we know about what it takes to establish a nest and how they select a site. We’ll likely have as many questions as answers in this webinar, but please join us for an exploration into the lesser known aspects of bumble bee ecology.
This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Rich Hatfield – Senior Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Bumble Bee Conservation Lead – Xerces Society
Rich manages all aspects of the Xerces Society’s work on bumble bees. Rich has a master’s degree in conservation biology from San Francisco State University, and he joined the Xerces Society in 2012. While earning his degree, his thesis focused on local- and landscape-level factors that contribute to bumble bee species richness and abundance. He has also investigated native bee pollination in agricultural systems in the Central Valley of California and researched endangered butterflies in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, as well as throughout the Pacific Northwest. In addition to his skills as a research biologist, Rich also has extensive classroom teaching experience with a focus on conservation biology, ecology, and sustainability.

Bee City & Bee Campus USA Virtual Affiliate Meetup: Pacific Northwest
2024-04-10 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join Corin Pease, Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Specialist for a short presentation followed by an extended Q&A and group discussion. This is an opportunity to share your successes, ask for advice, and connect with your fellow affiliate cities and campuses.
Feel free to join us if you are a Bee City or Bee Campus affiliate in Idaho, Oregon, Northern California, Western Montana, and Washington.
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.
Corin Pease
NW Pollinator Conservation Specialist
Partner Biologist, NRCS
The Xerces Society
Corin provides technical assistance to growers and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Conservation Planners on pollinator and natural enemy conservation on farms in the Pacific Northwest. He holds a master’s degree in integrated pest management and a bachelor’s degree in environmental biology from the University of California–Davis. Corin’s experience spans agriculture, entomology, and integrated pest management (IPM). As a researcher, Corin has studied insects associated with native hedgerows, conservation biological control, and pest management in tomatoes, grapes, almonds, and strawberries in California. Before coming to Xerces, Corin was a crop consultant in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, advising berry growers on pest management and crop nutrition.

Hampton, VA: Bats!
2024-04-10 12:00 - 13:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Did you know there are 17 recorded species of Bats here in Virginia? Bats are great neighbors to have around the house. One little brown bat has been documented eating upwards of 600 mosquitoes in one hour! Imagine what several individuals flying around in your yard could do! Join us to learn more about these misunderstood creatures.
Presented by Michelle Schopp, the Community Outreach Coordinator for Wild Birds Unlimited in Yorktown, Virginia.
Email HCCC@Hampton.gov to register!

*RESCHEDULED* Bee City & Bee Campus USA Virtual Affiliate Meetup: California, Nevada & Utah
2024-05-01 18:00 - 19:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join Isis Howard, Xerces Society’s Endangered Species Conservation Biologist in Western Monarch Community Science for a short presentation on Community Science for Monarch Conservation followed by an extended Q&A and group discussion. This is an opportunity to share your successes, ask for advice, and connect with your fellow affiliate cities and campuses.
Feel free to join us if you are a Bee City or Bee Campus affiliate in California, Nevada & Utah.
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.
Isis Howard
Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Western Monarch Community Science
The Xerces Society
As an endangered species conservation biologist, Isis works in California to protect and support the western population of monarch butterflies. She manages several community science projects, including the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count and the Western Monarch Milkweed Mapper, and provides support to land managers and the public on maintaining and restoring western monarch breeding habitat. Prior to joining Xerces, Isis worked for a resource conservation district and the North Coast Soil Hub, advancing climate adaptation work in the agricultural sector, engaging diverse community partners, and expanding the RCDs’ western monarch and pollinator program. Originally from Sonoma County, CA, Isis is an experienced outdoor educator and holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental management and protection with a minor in biology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. In her free time, Isis enjoys listening to podcasts, trying new creative outlets, and advocating for diversity and inclusion in the outdoors.

Hampton, VA: Enchanting Blooms and Wings lunch 'n learn!
2024-05-15 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Online
Have you wondered about creating a bug, butterfly or fairy house? Join Bee City USA-Hampton, VA team member April as she shares just how easy and fun it can be to build one or more and incorporate them into your garden.

World Bee Day!
2024-05-20
To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day. The goal is to strengthen measures aimed at protecting bees and other pollinators.

Bee City & Bee Campus USA Virtual Affiliate Meetup: South Central Region﻿
2024-05-22 16:00 - 17:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Online
Join Ray Moranz, Xerces Society’s Pollinator Conservation Specialist, for a short presentation on Monarchs and the Effort to Find Monarch Nectar Plants in the South Central U.S., followed by an extended Q&A and group discussion. This is an opportunity to share your successes, ask for advice, and connect with your fellow affiliate cities and campuses.
Feel free to join us if you are a Bee City or Bee Campus affiliate in Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, or Texas.
This free Bee City USA webinar is hosted by Xerces Society and will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel on the Bee City USA playlist. Auto-generated Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.
Ray Moranz
Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Central Region
The Xerces Society
Ray works to conserve pollinators on rangelands in the central U.S., and he also serves as a Partner Biologist to the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Central National Technology Support Center in Fort Worth, TX. He is based at the NRCS Field Office in Stillwater, Oklahoma. One focus of his work is to assist in the planning and implementation of monarch butterfly conservation efforts in the south central U.S.. Ray began studying the effects of fire and grazing on prairie plant and butterfly communities in 2004, and earned his Ph.D. in natural resource ecology and management from Oklahoma State University in 2010. Prior to joining the Xerces Society, he worked for The Nature Conservancy in Florida, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in California, Iowa State University, and Oklahoma State University.
