Presented by Dr. Robert Gegear
Reuben Hoar Library, 35 Shattuck Street, Littleton, MA 01460
Sunday, April 23, 2023 10:30 to 12:00
Note: masks are recommended for all indoor meetings
Pollinators are declining in abundance, species richness, and geographic distribution at an unprecedented rate—and this topic is HOT! But understanding how to create landscapes that truly support pollinator biodiversity is a complex topic that goes way beyond observing bees buzzing for nectar around flowers. Rob Gegear gives us a great introduction to the intricacies of this subject, with a particular focus on our native bumblebees. He frames the issue within the concept of pollination systems—exploring the needs of both pollinators and plants—to help us start to develop conservation strategies that will be genuinely effective.
About the presenter: Dr. Robert Gegear is an Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. His research interests include the conservation of native pollination systems, floral evolution, and bumblebee ecology. Previously, he taught at Worcester Polytechnic Institute where he founded the Beecology Project, funded by the National Science Foundation. This initiative uses citizen science to collect much-needed ecological data on native pollinator species and pollinator habitat.