The Summer Lecture Series is held in the Norm Dicks Visitor Center auditorium. Seating is limited to 100 people, first-come, first-served. Tickets are available at 6 p.m., and doors open at 6:30.
Our Native Bees (and other Pollinators)
David Jennings has an academic background in wildlife ecology and conservation from the University of Georgia and a MPH in Biostatistics from the University of Oklahoma. He is a former WA State Fish and Wildlife Commissioner. David is the current President of the Washington Native Bee Society, and a past president of the Washington Butterfly Association and the Gifford Pinchot Task Force. Currently, he also serves on Black Hills Audubon Society’s conservation committee.
Most of our native bees are so small and fast moving that we often don’t notice them, or if we do, we don’t recognize them as bees. Estimates are that we have upwards of 600 species of native bees here in Washington State, but only about 500 have been identified to species. Yet bees are a keystone species: without them, whole ecosystems falter. David will provide an overview of pollination, explain why native bees are vital, and share identification tips for common bumble bees around Thurston County. Join in a discussion on how we can meaningfully support our local pollinators.