Bumble bee on a cone flower.

As part of a three-part series on Urban Greening, The National Wildlife Magazine has published an article on gardening for bees in urban areas. In it, Laura Tangley describes the research behind gardening for urban bees, the status of pollinators, and what gardeners can do to help bees. She even gives our five-year research project [...]

Urban Greening for Bees: Bloom or Bust
Drawing of Megachile pluto bee

Excerpt "The world’s largest bee may also be the planet’s most elusive. First discovered in 1859 by the prominent scientist Alfred Russel Wallace, nobody could locate it again, and it was presumed extinct. The female Megachile pluto, shown here in this drawing by Dr H Friese (1911), is covered with velvety black fur but she [...]

World’s Largest Bee Is Not Extinct
Three large fake flowers, with a little girl placing a ball (representing pollen) in the middle of the flower.

The Penn State Center for Pollinator Research is partnering with Discovery Space to develop and expand a new exhibit to educate young children about honey bees.

Penn State Center for Pollinator Research Partners with Discovery Space to Create the Hive
Honeybee on white clover flower.

As you plan your spring garden, consider adding pollinator-friendly trees and plants to provide food and habitat for bee populations that are in decline across the country and worldwide.

5 Ways You Can Offset Declining Bee Populations with Your Garden
Honeybees on capped honeycomb.

The purpose of this newsletter is to further the understanding of these bee-related problems and issues surrounding the use of neonicotinoid insecticides. UC Davis bee biology expert Elina Niño introduces the subject of bee health and the significant effect of parasitic mites and pathogens in bee decline.

What’s Bugging Our Bees?
Bee Culture, The Magazine of American Beekeeping, Catch the Buzz, Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use

Surveys of U.S. beekeepers have documented a 28 percent decline (on average) in honey bee colonies each winter during the last ten years, and a 28-45 percent decline (on average) during the full year. In Pennsylvania, beekeepers reported a loss of 52 percent of their colonies over the last winter (2016-2017).

Catch the Buzz—Weighing the Costs and Benefits of Pesticide Use
Scientist standing underneath a hexagon with a bee inside.

Surveys of U.S. beekeepers have documented a 28 percent decline (on average) in honey bee colonies each winter during the last ten years, and a 28-45 percent decline (on average) during the full year. In Pennsylvania, beekeepers reported a loss of 52 percent of their colonies over the last winter (2016-2017).

It Takes a Colony
Man speaking at a podium.

Standing in front of one of the more popular exhibits at the Pennsylvania Farm Show—an educational display on the importance of bees to society—state Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding today helped unveil a new report intended to support healthy pollinator populations in the face of challenges that have decimated some species.

Agriculture Department, Penn State Release Recommendations to Maintain Healthy, Diverse Pollinator Populations
Group of people seated and listening to a lecture.

Michigan State University Extension and North Carolina State University hosted the second national Protecting Pollinators in Urban Landscapes Conference in Traverse City, Michigan, Oct. 9-11, 2017. Approximately 142 participants with varying professional backgrounds attended the event, including researchers, educators, students, beekeepers, landscapers and arborists.

Top 8 Take-home Messages of the Urban Pollinator Conference