Honey bees are incredibly important to our agricultural system – we couldn’t enjoy many of our favorites foods without them! But many people are surprised to learn that Georgia is home to some 500 other species of bees (most of which don’t make honey!). This webinar will introduce you to a few of the many native bees that live in backyards across Decatur. Learn how they’re similar to and different from the honey bee in terms of where they live, what they do and how to tell them apart.
North American Bee Diversity and Identification
Join Matthew Shepherd, biologist and Director of Communications and Outreach for the Xerces Society, as he explores the world of bees. Learn about the diversity of bees in the U.S. and pick up tips on how to identify them.
The Life & Times of
Ground-Nesting Bees
Join Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Program Co-Director with the Xerces Society, as he talks about ground nesting bees, their under-cover biology, and things you can do that might give them a home in your yard. About 70% of North America's native bees are solitary ground nesting species. They are often under-noticed and under-appreciated. This webinar will give you ideas on where to find them, what to look for, and – of course – the wonderful story of Sabin Elementary School’s mascot: the Tickle Bees.
Pesticides & Pollinators:
Understanding the Risk
Pesticides are widely used in many landscapes, but can cause harm to pollinators and other invertebrates. This Xerces Society webinar will include foundational information on pesticides and how they impact ecosystems. Learn how to understand and assess the risks associated with pesticide use, as well as how our regulatory systems address risk.
Native plants can withstand sub-zero temperatures, summer heat, drought, and insect predation all without supplemental water, fertilizers, or sprays. Native plants also co-evolved relationships with native insects to form the food chain foundation that supports butterflies, bees, birds, and predators. Learn the principles of sustainable landscaping and how you can do your part to reduce resource inputs and create habitat. Drew Lathin is the owner of Creating Sustainable Landscapes, LLC where he utilizes native plants to create beautiful and ecologically restorative landscapes for residential, commercial, and public spaces that support wildlife, reduce resource inputs, and create healthy outdoor living spaces. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Doug Tallamy: A Guide to Restoring the Little Things that Run the World
This webinar was presented on May 4, 2020 to Florida Wildflower Foundation members and friends. Dr. Doug Tallamy is a professor at the University of Delaware, and is the author of the popular book, "Bringing Nature Home." Learn why we must add native plants to our landscapes for the good of the insects vital to our own health.
Plants, Pollinators and People:
A Love Story
Plants cannot move. But they still must survive and reproduce. Their solutions to this romantic problem are a fascinating set of evolutionary adaptations. Maryville University professor Dr. Kyra N. Krakos takes us inside the world of plants and the unique relationship they have with pollinators. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community.
Gardening for Butterflies
East of the Rockies
In this webinar, Xerces Society pollinator ecologist Dr. Ray Moranz will show you that attracting butterflies to your garden is easy and fun. After briefly talking about relevant aspects of butterfly biology, he will present some general principles of butterfly garden design and maintenance. He will also show you plants that belong in gardens almost anywhere east of the Rockies, and the butterflies they will attract.
The Natural History of North American Pollinators
Dive into the natural history of pollinators with Mace Vaughan, entomologist and Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program Co-Director. Learn the basics of pollination, why pollinators matter, and what you can do to help pollinators in your own neighborhood or backyard.
The Butterfly Effect: Saving the Migratory Monarchs
The migration of monarch butterflies is a captivating story of strength and beauty, but one that may not exist for much longer. Professor and Associate Dean of Academic Affairs in the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, Sonia Altizer, Ph.D. stresses that it’s up to us to change the practices that threaten this iconic species.
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