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PRESENTATION TOPICS
The Bombus Among Us - Bumble Bee Basics NEW Bumble bees (Bombus) are by far our most charismatic and recognizable native bees. In order to help our bumble bees thrive, we must understand their life cycle and nutritional needs. Heather will illustrate the bumble bee life cycle through the growing season; the importance of selecting the right native (woody and herbaceous) plants to meet the nutritional needs of the queens, workers, and males; their habitat; the impacts on populations from climate change; and common upper Midwestern and eastern bumble bee species. She will also feature species in decline including the federally endangered rusty patched bumble bee. Specialist Bees NEW The monarch butterfly is probably the most famous insect specialist (the caterpillars only feed on milkweed), but did you know that many native bees are also specialists? Female native bee specialists or oligoleges, only collect pollen from a narrow range of native plants; this could mean just one plant genus or many genera that belong to one plant family. Heather will highlight many of these native plant-bee specializations as well as the overlapping habitat requirements of the bees and plants. The presentation will also include the threats to specialists such as habitat loss and climate change. Asters and Goldenrods: Autumn’s Pollinator Banquet Asters are critical late summer and fall forage for native bees including many pollen-collecting specialists. Heather will explore the nutritional components of the nectar and pollen of asters and their fall-blooming cousins the goldenrods, and demonstrate the importance of these two groups of plants for native bees as well as migratory pollinating insects such as butterflies. What's the Buzz About Native Bees This presentation explores the nesting habitat, life cycle, pollen collection, brood rearing, and general characteristics of common genera of native bees occurring in the Midwestern, Eastern United States, and southern Canada. The pollination of native plants and the mutualism between native plants and native bees is also highlighted. Heather also discusses the presentation of floral resources and how the physical characteristics of bees can influence the bees' effectiveness as pollinators. The Pollination of Native Plants This presentation is a fascinating journey showcasing the development of different flower types and the presentation of floral resources to pollinators. Exploring the types of insect pollinators, their foraging behavior, and the floral features that attract pollinators, Heather will provide many specific examples of how native plants are pollinated and what pollinator is most effective and why. Climate Change and Bees NEW Description coming soon! Habitat Matters: Lessons Learned From Enhancing Native Bee Habitat on Blueberry Farms In this presentation you will learn about the current research project I am working on in Minnesota and Wisconsin blueberry farms. I discuss the project objectives and reasons for studying native bees on blueberry farms, the sampling methods, native bee candidates (for blueberry pollination services), the nesting habitat of the bees, and the native plant forage recommendations. The presentation also explores the habitat evaluation of the farms, and the considerations for what kind of forage could be provided for the native bee candidates pre, and post-blueberry bloom. Attracting Bees and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants Most insects have a positive impact in our landscapes. Native plants can be selected to attract specific bees and beneficial insects including predatory and parasitic wasps, beetles, flies, true bugs, and lacewings. Learn about the predator-prey relationships of these flower-visiting beneficial insects and how they help keep problem insect populations in balance. The life cycles, diversity, and nesting habitat of native bees will also be covered along with examples of native plants for different site conditions. Restoring Ecosystem Functionality and Biodiversity How can humans benefit from green infrastructure and ecological landscape restorations? Heather will discuss ways we can achieve a sustainable coexistence with the rest of life on earth. Models of restorative landscaping including residential and community opportunities will be highlighted as well as thoughtful plant selection, ecosystem functionality, and how biodiversity can be maximized. A focus on pollinator habitat and outcomes, trouble shooting and monitoring of restorations, and funding opportunities will also be included in the presentation. Selecting Native Trees and Shrubs that Support Pollinators While most trees are wind-pollinated, the ones that are insect-pollinated provide important forage for pollinators, especially in early spring. Learn about which canopy trees, small trees, and shrubs are insect-pollinated and the types of pollinators each plant attracts. Factors influencing pollinator visitation including flower structure, flower resources, flowering phenology, and the plant community where the woody plant occurs will also be discussed. Native Bees and Predatory Wasps: Their Role as Pollinators and Beneficial Insects Native bees and predatory wasps share the same lineage and also share many behaviors and habitat requirements. Predatory wasps feed their offspring invertebrates (insects and spiders) and bees diverged from this carnivorous diet to feed their offspring plant-based food (pollen and nectar). Flower-rich landscapes are a critical habitat component for both adult bees and wasps because they each consume flower nectar. Heather will highlight ways that bees and wasps share the same nesting habitat, provide pollination services, and how wasps provide the additional ecosytem service of pest insect population control. Attracting Bees and Beneficial Insects to your Fruit and Vegetable Garden Learn about the importance of insect pollination and the bees responsible for pollinating the fruits and vegetables we grow in both home and commercial landscapes. Heather will discuss in detail the genera of bees responsible for the majority of the pollination and the additional forage (flowering plants) one needs to provide to ensure that the 'flower buffet' is always open, even when the fruit or vegetable plants are not in flower. Also discussed are the beneficial insects that the native flowering plants will attract and how these insects can help reduce insect pest populations in your fruit or vegetable garden. |
2020 SCHEDULED EVENTS
February 29, 2020 Dakota County Master Gardeners, MN March 14, 2020 - EVENT CANCELLED GardenWise Penn State Extension Conference York, PA March 21, 2020 - EVENT CANCELLED St. Croix Valley Master Gardener Conference Hudson, WI March 23, 2020 - EVENT CANCELLED 5th Annual Best Practices for Pollinators Summit Pollinator Friendly Alliance St. Anthony, MN April 1, 2020 - EVENT CANCELLED Ohio State University Plant/Pollinator Program Columbus, OH April 18, 2020 - EVENT RESCHEDULED TO April 10, 2021 Carver Scott Master Gardeners Garden Fever Conference Chaska, MN April 22, 2020 New York Botanical Garden Pollinator Conference Bronyx, NY April 25, 2020 EVENT RESCHEDULED TO April 17, 2021 Master Gardener Society of Oakland County Spring Educational Garden Conference Waterford, MI May 6, 2020 - EVENT RESCHEDULED TO September 23, 2020 Grow Native Massachusetts Cambridge, MA May 16, 2020 Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art Bentonville, AR July 15, 2020 Plant it Wild Frankfort, MI July 20, 2020 2020 North American Prairie Conference Atloona, IA September 12, 2020 Indiana State Master Gardener Conference Kokomo, IN September 23, 2020 Grow Native Massachusetts Cambridge, MA November 15, 2020 Ecological Gardening Symposium Berkshire Botanical Garden Stockbridge, MA April 10, 2021 Carver Scott Master Gardeners Garden Fever Conference Chaska, MN April 17, 2021 Master Gardener Society of Oakland County Spring Educational Garden Conference Waterford, MI View Listing of Past Presentations |
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ATTENDEE FEEDBACK
"Dear Heather,
We have received nothing but glowing feedback about your presentations and pollinator walk. What a treat to have you here!"
- Phyllis Stiles, Director, Bee City USA Asheville, NC, July 2016
We have received nothing but glowing feedback about your presentations and pollinator walk. What a treat to have you here!"
- Phyllis Stiles, Director, Bee City USA Asheville, NC, July 2016
"Thank you again for speaking to the Mahtomedi community last night. In observing the audience during your talk, Gardening for Bees and Butterflies, I could see they were totally absorbed in the material being presented.
The feedback I've received from audience members was resoundingly positive.
Some comments from your talk include:
-"Wonderful speaker and great topic."
-"Good command of the material."
-"I had no idea bees' lives were so fascinating."
-"Uses subtle humor effectively and naturally."
-"Increased sensitivity to the important role we play in inviting pollinators to our gardens."
-"Increased awareness of habitat needs of bees."
-"Will use more discretion and extra caution when using pesticides."
-Pleasant and easy to listen to; could listen to Heather all day."
- Jackie Metelak, Mahtomedi Garden Club
The feedback I've received from audience members was resoundingly positive.
Some comments from your talk include:
-"Wonderful speaker and great topic."
-"Good command of the material."
-"I had no idea bees' lives were so fascinating."
-"Uses subtle humor effectively and naturally."
-"Increased sensitivity to the important role we play in inviting pollinators to our gardens."
-"Increased awareness of habitat needs of bees."
-"Will use more discretion and extra caution when using pesticides."
-Pleasant and easy to listen to; could listen to Heather all day."
- Jackie Metelak, Mahtomedi Garden Club
"We were all very engaged in your presentation, and many members later told me how much they learned and enjoyed it. From your knowledge of the natural history of so many types of bees and plants to your beautiful photography, we enjoyed every minute of it. The information you shared about the interaction between bees and plants was especially interesting to our group. Your time and preparation are very much appreciated."
- Mary Beth Pottratz, Minnesota Master Naturalists, West Metro Chapter
- Mary Beth Pottratz, Minnesota Master Naturalists, West Metro Chapter
"Extremely well presented and knowledgeable speaker. I learned a lot from Ms. Holm and was able to follow along. Her slide deck was a perfect mix of text and graphic representation. I could have listened to her all day."
"Excellent! The most visually appealing presentation. An extremely clear presenter."
"Wonderful balanced approach to understanding insect diversity in natural habitats."
"Heather should be on any program that deals with bees. Her knowledge, and the succinct way she has of imparting that knowledge, is excellent."
- Survey respondents, Pollinators Cubed: Plants and People Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, November 2014
"Excellent! The most visually appealing presentation. An extremely clear presenter."
"Wonderful balanced approach to understanding insect diversity in natural habitats."
"Heather should be on any program that deals with bees. Her knowledge, and the succinct way she has of imparting that knowledge, is excellent."
- Survey respondents, Pollinators Cubed: Plants and People Conference, Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, November 2014
To schedule an author event, please email contact@pollinatorsnativeplants.com