Most people can name perhaps three or four kinds of bees. They are incredulous to learn that there are actually close to 4,000 species of native bees in North America and this does not include honey bees (which are non-native). Jerry Freilich is an entomologist who recently retired as Olympic National Park’s research coordinator. One of his most recent projects was an effort to find and identify as many bee species as possible in the park. This talk will explain why bees are such a challenge. Most are tiny, fast-flying and inconspicuous. They go about their jobs, don’t interact with people, and generally fly below human radar. Jerry’s very interested in the birds and bees, aren’t you?

Join us to explore the vast diversity of native bees and expand our understanding of the even greater biodiversity of the natural world on which our lives depend. Using bees as a beginning, this lecture addresses the bigger subject of biodiversity. Dr. Freilich, who spoke last year on the removal of the dams on the Elwha River, recently retired as Olympic National Park’s research coordinator. One of his projects there was to find and identify as many bee species as possible in the park. Come see bees in 3-D with entomologist Dr. Freilich as our guide!

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