Feb. 19, 2010
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| Native bee specialist Robbin Thorp, emeritus professor of entomology at UC Davis, looks over an almond tree at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility. Click to enlarge. (Photos by Kathy Keatley Garvey) |
DAVIS--Native bee specialist Robbin Thorp, emeritus professor of entomology at the University of California, Davis, will be a keynote speaker at the 2010 Bee Symposium, sponsored by the Santa Rosa-based Partners for Sustainable Pollination (PFSP).
The fourth annual conference will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. , Sunday, March 7 in the Subud Center, 234 Hutchins Ave., Sebastopol. The conference will offer updates and new perspectives on honey bees and native pollinators, according to Kathy Kellison, executive director of PFSP.
Thorp will speak on native bees. "I plan to introduce some of the amazing diversity of native bees," he said, "and to focus on their nesting habits and nest site requirements."
Another key speaker, newly announced today, is Extension Apiculturist Eric Mussen, UC Davis Department of Entomology, a noted authority on honey bees. He will speak on "Honey Bee Nutrition." The other main speakers are Kellison; researcher-beekeeper Randy Oliver of Grass Valley; beekeeper Serge Labesque of Glen Ellen. The audience will have an opportunity to interact with the speakers.
The conference also will include information on beekeeping practices, innovative approaches and ecological strategies for beekeepers, Kellison said, "and actions that can be taken by beekeepers, growers and other interested supporters who wish to help our bees."
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Kathy Kellison |
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Serge Labesque |
Thorp, who retired from UC Davis in 1994, continues to do research. Based at the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility, he focuses his research on the ecology, systematics, biodiversity, and conservation of bees, including pollen specialist bees in vernal pool ecosystems. He is involved in research on the role of native bees in crop pollination, the role of urban gardens as bee habitat, and declines in native bumble bee populations.
Since 2002, Thorp has participated as an instructor in The Bee Course, offered annually through the American Museum of Natural History, New York at its Southwest Research Station, Portal, Ariz.
Thorp, who received his bachelor and master's degrees in zoology from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and a doctorate in entomology from UC Berkeley, joined the UC Davis Department of Entomology faculty in 1964, conducting research on the pollination of crops pollinated by honey bees, especially almond. Other research: the use of other bee species in crop pollination, the roles of native bees in pollination of flowers in natural ecosystems such as vernal pools, and on the ecology and systematics of native bees.
Thorp is a Fellow of the California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco.
The “early bee” registration for the 2010 Bee Symposium is $25 through March 1. After March 1, the cost is $30. There’s a $10 discount for PFSP members. Anyone concerned about honey bee health and pollinators in general is invited to join, Kellison said.
Checks are payable to PFSP (reference "Symposium") and can be mailed to:
2010 Bee Symposium
Attn: Alice Ford-Sala
1088 Badger Ct
Santa Rosa CA 95409-2795
Registration also is taking place online.
PFSP collaborates with farmers, growers, beekeepers and scientists to develop ways to improve health of honey bees in pollination services and support native pollinators. The organization sponsors the “Bee Friendly Farming” program, a means of raising consumer recognition and support for helping bees by recognizing those who provide bee habitat, and/or who support bees by purchasing farm products and local honey bearing the "Bee Friendly Farmer" logo.
"Bee Friendly Farmer" is an inclusive term that is “intended to recognize 'Bee Friendly anyone' who supports bees directly or indirectly--farms, ranches, businesses, schools, local governments, nonprofits, gardeners and beekeepers,” Kellison said.
More information is on the PSFP Web site.
Additional information:
What to plant in your garden to attract bees: UC Berkeley Urban Garden Web site and Xerces Society.
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--Kathy Keatley Garvey
Communications specialist
UC Davis Department of Entomology
(530) 754-6894
