Bring Back the Pollinators: Enhancing on-Farm Habitat Opportunities for Bees

Pollinators are incredibly important for both crops and wild plants. There are a variety of ways that farmers and gardeners can contribute to pollinator conservation. Join Jules Davis, postdoctoral researcher at UMass Amherst and  Xerces Society Ambassador, as  they explore the world of native bees, their life histories, threats, and simple actions you can take to help conserve them. Jules will also discuss ongoing research efforts to understand pollinator health on farms in the Connecticut River Valley. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

Attendees will be provided with an understanding of wild bee biology and life history and a discussion of ways to use this knowledge to make targeted on-farm conservation decisions. We will discuss ways to provide supplemental food and nesting resources for bees and mitigate negative consequences of agricultural activity on bee nesting and food habitat.