Seeing the Forest for the Bees: habitat elements for native bees in deciduous forests with Kass Urban-Mead (July 24, 2025)

Did you know that there are over 4,000 different wild bee species in the United States? Most are solitary, don’t live in hives and don’t even make honey. These wild, native pollinators have long relationships with our beloved wildflowers, providing important pollination services which ensure the stability of many of our favorite fruits, nuts and vegetables. Although we usually think of wild pollinating bees in our gardens, flower patches and meadows, that is not the only place they can be found! In the northeastern United States, up to two-thirds of our wild bee species use forested habitats for at least part of their life cycles. For example, some are specialized to only collect pollen and nectar from spring ephemerals on the forest floor, while others nest in rotting logs and leaf litter deep in the woods. Did you know that bumble bees (Bombus spp.)— beloved on your roses and garden plants — love nesting in the forest? Join us for an adventure exploring how wild bees use the woods —from the leafy forest floor to the tippy top of the canopy! We will connect these to some practical suggestions for forest stewardship that benefit pollinators.

Kass’s doctoral work in the Cornell Entomology Department characterized the wild bees active in early spring forests and forest canopies, and how the movement of bees between forests and orchards can support orchard pollination. Kass grew up raising 4-H dairy goats in the Hudson Valley. She completed a master’s at Yale Forestry, worked for a summer at the Arnold Arboretum and did ecological research in southern France. In her position with the Xerces Society, Kass Urban-Mead provides technical assistance on pollinator conservation in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast regions. As part of this work, she assists with planning, designing, installing and managing habitats for pollinators and other beneficial insects, particularly in forested habitats. Kass also works with staff and research partners to develop technical guidelines and provide training on pollinator conservation practices.

Program Fee: $15 (Members, enter your code at checkout to receive your 20% discount.)

All lectures will be held virtually using Zoom. They will be recorded and shared with everyone who registers for a short time.