“Bee” curious instead of cautious! There’s more to these pollinators than the sting we’re all bracing for. They’re an important part of the local ecology — bumbling from flower to flower, quietly doing the work that keeps our gardens and farms alive.

Despite their reputation, bumblebees rarely sting. Did you know that Virginia is home to more than 450 species of bees? Many are in decline, and some are now at risk of extinction. T’ai Roulston will fill us in on this remarkable group, with a special focus on our fuzzy friend, the bumblebee.

T’ai Roulston is a Research Associate Professor in the Department of Environmental Sciences at the University of Virginia’s Blandy Experimental Farm in Boyce, VA, and Curator of the State Arboretum of Virginia. His research focuses on plant-insect interactions and pollinator conservation, with a special focus on native bees.

Reserve a seat at the library or on Zoom