When we hear ‘bee’ we often think of the European honey bee, but there are at least 600-700 species of bees in Washington and Oregon. Native bees are very different, but we know very little about their status. What flowers do they pollinate? Where and when do they nest? How can we use our gardens to support them?

Washington has implemented the Washington Bee Atlas (WaBA) to find out more. It was formed in 2023 and modeled after the successful Oregon Bee Atlas, which has added 220 bee species to their state list! These community science groups train volunteers to collect, pin, and label bee specimens. Many of the volunteers have no science or entomology background. They post data through the app iNaturalist, providing date, location, collector and host plant information. The specimens are then identified by professionals, deposited at WSU or OSU insect collections, and the data made public! This information is highly valuable to conservation efforts of all 600+ species of native bees known to occur in the PNW.

This Science on Tap will talk about native bee biology and general gardening guidelines, then give an introduction to Washington Bee Atlas and how it all works.

Dr. Karen Wright got her Master’s degree at OSU in Entomology (working on true bugs and beetles in hazelnuts), then moved to New Mexico where she started her career working on native bees. She developed a collection of over 600 species of bees from central New Mexico, and the long-term study is still ongoing with over 20 years of data. She got her PhD from the University of New Mexico on the Evolution of Diet Breadth in Melissodes bees and was curator of the insect collection at Texas A&M University for six years until being hired to develop and manage the Washington Bee Atlas. She has happily relocated to Yakima, Washington with her dogs and husband.

General Admission: $20

For registration questions or to request reduced-priced tickets if the admission is a hardship for you, click the link below.

https://www.scienceontaporwa.org/contact/

Registration is required. Sign up here: https://www.cityofvancouver.us/events/spring-beak-nature-walk-2/

Join Vancouver Bee Project and Water Center staff in caring for our newly planted meadow. Grass was removed and wildflower seed sowed last fall. Spring is the time to assess the project and clean out any unwanted plant species from the meadow. We will also have projects for volunteers to help keep our Backyard Habitat Certified gardens in tip-top shape. Volunteer activities may include weeding, mulching, trimming and raking pathways. All necessary tools will be provided.

All ages welcome. Youth under 18 must bring a signed minor consent form. Youth under 13 must have an adult guardian present.

Contact: Water Center staff at vanwrec@cityofvancouver.us or 360-487-7111

Beautiful Savior Lutheran is hosting a shred day fundraiser for their 30th year of the Mexico Mission of building homes in Tijuana. 

Requesting $5 donation, 2 box limit. Paper Only: Bring documents in file/bankers boxes or Paper Grocery Bags)
Papers with staples, paper clips, and binder clips are allowed
No plastic covers, 3-ring binders or spiral notebooks

10am-1pm (or until truck is full)

There’s nothing better than a bowl of just-picked, sweet, juicy strawberries harvested from your own garden. Growing strawberries is something you can do without a lot of time or effort. Join WSU Extension Clark County Master Gardeners for an introductory workshop on growing strawberries.  The class will provide an overview of the three different types of strawberries followed by planting and care techniques for each. Common pests and diseases will be discussed, and storage and preservation will be covered (this portion is indoors; masks are welcome). Participants will learn how to plant (and take home) a bareroot strawberry plant. The class will be held outdoors and will require walking short distances on uneven ground. Those with mobility issues may drive into the site. Dress for the weather and bring water. Space is limited and participants will work in small groups. No admission without advance registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/grow-your-own-strawberries-workshop-tickets-768665979637. Cost $10. For more information: (564) 397-5738 or Erika.d.johnson@wsu.edu. Learn more at  http://extension.wsu.edu/clark/gardening/workshops-events/