This week we hear from Dr. Phil Allen who has the audacious idea of reducing water use and increasing benefits to pollinator by replacing lawns with subalpine meadows. 

This week we hear from Dr. Phil Allen who has the audacious idea of reducing water use and increasing benefits to pollinator by replacing lawns with subalpine meadows.

241 - Rip out your lawn (and replace it with subalpine meadow)

Bumble bees nest in the darndest places - like bird houses and water meters. In this episode we learn about how to relocate bumble bee colonies. We also figure out how to get bumble bee nests where you want them, by rearing colonies from queens that emerge in the spring. 

Bumble bees nest in the darndest places - like bird houses and water meters. In this episode we learn about how to relocate bumble bee colonies. We also figure out how to get bumble bee nests where you want them, by rearing colonies from queens that emerge in the spring.

240 - Bumble bee nest relocation and rearing

Beekeeping takes a lot of training and mentorship. In many states, the place to learn the finer points of this trade is in state Master Beekeeper programs. We hear about the Oregon program through its annual field day. 

Beekeeping takes a lot of training and mentorship. In many states, the place to learn the finer points of this trade is in state Master Beekeeper programs. We hear about the Oregon program through its annual field day.

239 - Oregon Master Beekeeper Field Day

It's National Pollinator Week next week. We hear about what makes effective public engagement on pollinators and of a new event in Vancouver, Washington, the Pollinator Festival. 

It's National Pollinator Week next week. We hear about what makes effective public engagement on pollinators and of a new event in Vancouver, Washington, the Pollinator Festival.

238 - National Pollinator Week 2023

A number of Oregon vineyards are working together to enhance the habitat for bees (which includes over 700 species in Oregon). In this episode we visit one of those vineyards, Sokol Blosser Winery, and learn about how they are working to improve habitat for their bees.  

A number of Oregon vineyards are working together to enhance the habitat for bees (which includes over 700 species in Oregon). In this episode we visit one of those vineyards, Sokol Blosser Winery, and learn about how they are working to improve habitat for their bees.

237 - Bee Friendly Wine (Sokol Blosser)

This week we hear about what this cold and wet spring has meant for Pacific Northwest beekeepers (and the crops they pollinate).

This week we hear about what this cold and wet spring has meant for Pacific Northwest beekeepers (and the crops they pollinate).

236 - Vanderpool - (Very) wet start to PNW beekeeping

There are some amazing things happening for pollinators in Washington State these days. This week we hear about the brand new Pollinator Health Research and Extension Program.

There are some amazing things happening for pollinators in Washington State these days. This week we hear about the brand new Pollinator Health Research and Extension Program.

235 - Kulhanek - Washington's new Pollinator Health Research and Extension Program!

This week we hear why the strength of the colonies, not just the stocking rate, matters for blueberry pollination and how growers can evaluate strength in the field.

This week we hear why the strength of the colonies, not just the stocking rate, matters for blueberry pollination and how growers can evaluate strength in the field.

234 - Goldstein - Colony strength and blueberry pollination

This week we hear about one of the best kept secrets, a newsletter from USDA that gives a regular update on what is going on in the pollinator world. 

This week we hear about one of the best kept secrets, a newsletter from USDA that gives a regular update on what is going on in the pollinator world.

233 - Hill - The Latest Buzz

Pesticide applicators frequently add adjuvants to help their pesticide applications be more effective or safer to use. Adjuvants, however, are not assessed for their risk to bees by regulators. We hear about new research that assesses the safety of these products to bees.

Pesticide applicators frequently add adjuvants to help their pesticide applications be more effective or safer to use. Adjuvants, however, are not assessed for their risk to bees by regulators. We hear about new research that assesses the safety of these products to bees.

232 - Shannon - Do adjuvants influence bee health?

PolliNation is a podcast from Oregon State University Extension Service that tells the stories of researchers, land managers and concerned citizens who are making bold strides to improve the health of pollinators.

Love this podcast. A great range of interview guests and topics!

Wonderful for Native bee enthusiasts!

Pollination is the best bee-related podcast I have found.

The best

PolliNation Podcast

Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Utah, Dr. Joseph Wilson has coauthored a marvelous book called The Bees in Your Backyard. We discuss the book in detail in the interview, including how to tell bees apart from other insects, common bee myths, and more. Joseph has conducted research on evolution and ecology of bees and wasps, and frequently guests on radio and news media to discuss this increasingly hot topic. For more, visit us at pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu.

Assistant Professor of Biology at the University of Utah, Dr. Joseph Wilson has coauthored a marvelous book called The Bees in Your Backyard. We discuss the book in detail in the interview, including how to tell bees apart from other insects, common bee myths, and more. Joseph has conducted research on evolution and ecology of bees and wasps, and frequently guests on radio and news media to discuss this increasingly hot topic. For more, visit us at <a href="http://pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu</a>.

03 Dr. Joseph Wilson - The Bees in Your Backyard

Robert Marshall

Roads crisis-cross the state of Oregon, making roadsides an appealing focus for creating an interconnected network of pollinator habitat. But roadside habitat has to fit within the constraints faced by Departments of Transportation. In this episode we hear about some of those constraints and successes achieved in Oregon by ODOT.  

Roads crisis-cross the state of Oregon, making roadsides an appealing focus for creating an interconnected network of pollinator habitat. But roadside habitat has to fit within the constraints faced by Departments of Transportation. In this episode we hear about some of those constraints and successes achieved in Oregon by ODOT.

115 - Robert Marshall - Roadside pollinator habitat

Elaine Evans

Today’s episode is all about getting the public involved in surveying and identifying different species of bees. Dr Elaine Evans is our guest. She’s the new Extensions Educator working on bee conservation at University of Minnesota. She has been working on education and advocacy for native pollinators for a long time, and is the lead on a fascinating project called the Minnesota Bumblebee Survey. Listen in to this episode to understand how you can get involved in some important citizen science initiatives. For more, visit us at pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu.

Today’s episode is all about getting the public involved in surveying and identifying different species of bees. Dr Elaine Evans is our guest. She’s the new Extensions Educator working on bee conservation at University of Minnesota. She has been working on education and advocacy for native pollinators for a long time, and is the lead on a fascinating project called the Minnesota Bumblebee Survey. Listen in to this episode to understand how you can get involved in some important citizen science initiatives. For more, visit us at <a href="http://pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu</a>.

02 Dr. Elaine Evans - Citizen Science and Surveying Bumblebees

Alfalfa leafcutting bees don't get the attention of honey bees, but they are also a remarkable example of how people have learned to manage a bee species. It's often hard to get details about this industry, but this week we bring you one of the industry's gurus - Weldon Hobbs - whose dad helped found the industry in Western Canada. 

Alfalfa leafcutting bees don't get the attention of honey bees, but they are also a remarkable example of how people have learned to manage a bee species. It's often hard to get details about this industry, but this week we bring you one of the industry's gurus - Weldon Hobbs - whose dad helped found the industry in Western Canada.

119 – MR Pollination – Alfalfa leafcutter bees

Rich Hatfield

Oregon's bumble bees are all hibernating. Mated bumble bee queen are known to winter in loose soil or leaf litter, but we don't know much more than that. This week we talk with Rich Hatfield, a biologist at the Xerces Society, about a new community science initiative called Queen Quest, to learn more about the wintering requirements of bumble bees.  

Oregon's bumble bees are all hibernating. Mated bumble bee queen are known to winter in loose soil or leaf litter, but we don't know much more than that. This week we talk with Rich Hatfield, a biologist at the Xerces Society, about a new community science initiative called Queen Quest, to learn more about the wintering requirements of bumble bees.

118 - Rich Hatfield - Queen Quest

Mehmet Ali Döke

Listen in to learn about the effect of the winter season on bee populations, how bees have adapted, and what beekeepers can do to protect their colonies. “They’re in such large numbers, they wouldn’t be able to make it through another year if they couldn't start the spring earlier than the other species. That’s in a way an advantage, but also a curse.” - Mehmet Doke. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://bit.ly/PN-Mehmet-Ali-Doke

Listen in to learn about the effect of the winter season on bee populations, how bees have adapted, and what beekeepers can do to protect their colonies. “They’re in such large numbers, they wouldn’t be able to make it through another year if they couldn't start the spring earlier than the other species. That’s in a way an advantage, but also a curse.” - Mehmet Doke. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://bit.ly/PN-Mehmet-Ali-Doke" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/PN-Mehmet-Ali-Doke</a>

33 Mehmet Ali Döke - How Honey Bees Survive The Winter

Gail Langellotto

Listen in to learn about ground nesting bees, the potential problems of plant lists, and how to maximize the benefits of urban landscapes for pollinators. “A lot of [gardeners] don’t recognize the importance of next sites for bees, and in particular, the importance of nest sites for ground nesting bees.“ - Dr. Gail Langellotto. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://bit.ly/PN-Dr-Gail-Langellotto

Listen in to learn about ground nesting bees, the potential problems of plant lists, and how to maximize the benefits of urban landscapes for pollinators. “A lot of [gardeners] don’t recognize the importance of next sites for bees, and in particular, the importance of nest sites for ground nesting bees.“ - Dr. Gail Langellotto. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://bit.ly/PN-Dr-Gail-Langellotto" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/PN-Dr-Gail-Langellotto</a>

34 Dr. Gail Langellotto - What Pollinators Need From Gardeners in Urban Habitats

Sam Droege

Listen in to learn more about how to plant a garden for pollinators using non-native plants, and the complexities of pollinator research in the field. “The bigger picture I focus on is to emphasize that [we all] have a role to play in the saving of bees, and that it's not really an issue about Monsanto or chemical companies or some far off entity.” - Sam Droege. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://bit.ly/PN-Sam-Droege

Listen in to learn more about how to plant a garden for pollinators using non-native plants, and the complexities of pollinator research in the field. “The bigger picture I focus on is to emphasize that [we all] have a role to play in the saving of bees, and that it's not really an issue about Monsanto or chemical companies or some far off entity.” - Sam Droege. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://bit.ly/PN-Sam-Droege" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/PN-Sam-Droege</a>

62 Sam Droege and the Bee School

Bryan Danforth

Although solitary bees make up the bulk of bee diversity, there hasn't been a comprehensive biology book about them. That is until now. This week we catch up with Dr. Bryan Danforth about his new book, The Solitary Bee, authored along with Frances Fawcett, John Neff, and Robert Minckley.

Although solitary bees make up the bulk of bee diversity, there hasn't been a comprehensive biology book about them. That is until now. This week we catch up with Dr. Bryan Danforth about his new book, The Solitary Bee, authored along with Frances Fawcett, John Neff, and Robert Minckley.

107 - Bryan Danforth - The Solitary Bees

Listen in to learn more about victory gardens, the cultural importance of bees over time, and how artists and scientists work together to educate the world. “If you want to grow food to feed yourself, you also need to feed the bees. We need to feed the bees.” - Lori Weidenhammer. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://bit.ly/PN-Lori-Weidenhammer

Listen in to learn more about victory gardens, the cultural importance of bees over time, and how artists and scientists work together to educate the world. “If you want to grow food to feed yourself, you also need to feed the bees. We need to feed the bees.” - Lori Weidenhammer. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://bit.ly/PN-Lori-Weidenhammer" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/PN-Lori-Weidenhammer</a>

63 Lori Weidenhammer - Victory Gardens for Bees

Aaron Anderson

Listen in to learn what native plants are best for your garden, both for increasing the health of local pollinators and adding beauty to your garden. "There have been very few studies that have been done on the relative attractiveness of different plants to pollinators, especially in a garden-type setting." - Aaron Anderson. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2019/04/15/aaron-anderson #fpshows

Listen in to learn what native plants are best for your garden, both for increasing the health of local pollinators and adding beauty to your garden. "There have been very few studies that have been done on the relative attractiveness of different plants to pollinators, especially in a garden-type setting." - Aaron Anderson. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2019/04/15/aaron-anderson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2019/04/15/aaron-anderson</a> #fpshows

94 Aaron Anderson - Which Native Plants Are Best For In Your Garden For Oregon Bees?

David Lowenstein

Dr. David Lowenstein is a post-doc researcher at Oregon State University’s Department of Horticulture. Today we talk about his fascinating research on urban pollinators during his time in Chicago. We discuss biodiversity in a city, what property owners can do to attract pollinators, and the unique challenges of urban bee research. For more, visit us at pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu.

Dr. David Lowenstein is a post-doc researcher at Oregon State University’s Department of Horticulture. Today we talk about his fascinating research on urban pollinators during his time in Chicago. We discuss biodiversity in a city, what property owners can do to attract pollinators, and the unique challenges of urban bee research. For more, visit us at <a href="http://pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu</a>.

04 Dr. David Lowenstein - Wild Pollinators in Urban Areas

Ramesh Sagili

Listen in as we talk about honey bee nutrition, what beekeepers need to know about nutrition supplements and sterols, and what Ramesh has learned about controlling varroa mites. “There is not much that we understand about the needs of sterols in honey bees.” - Dr. Ramesh Sagili. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://bit.ly/PN-Ramesh-Sagili

Listen in as we talk about honey bee nutrition, what beekeepers need to know about nutrition supplements and sterols, and what Ramesh has learned about controlling varroa mites. “There is not much that we understand about the needs of sterols in honey bees.” - Dr. Ramesh Sagili. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://bit.ly/PN-Ramesh-Sagili" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bit.ly/PN-Ramesh-Sagili</a>

38 Dr. Ramesh Sagili - The Elusive Secrets of Honey Bee Nutrition and Controlling Varroa Mites

Lila Westreich

Many of us put mason bees out in our backyard or farm. But when they leave the nest, do you know where they are going to forage? In this episode we hear how a sleuthing graduate student in Seattle is beginning to piece together a picture of what resources these bees are actually using.

Many of us put mason bees out in our backyard or farm. But when they leave the nest, do you know where they are going to forage? In this episode we hear how a sleuthing graduate student in Seattle is beginning to piece together a picture of what resources these bees are actually using.

125 – Lila Westreich – The Secret Life of Mason Bees

Lauren Ponisio

Hedgerows can be great ways to attract pollinators in agriculture and forestry settings. But how can such relatively small plantings impact pollinator abundance and diversity on larger scales? This week we dig deep into the science of how hedgerows contribute to pollinator health. 

Hedgerows can be great ways to attract pollinators in agriculture and forestry settings. But how can such relatively small plantings impact pollinator abundance and diversity on larger scales? This week we dig deep into the science of how hedgerows contribute to pollinator health.

124 – Lauren Ponisio – Pollinator Hedgerows

Rosalyn Johnson

In this episode we talk with Dr. Rosalyn Johnson from Yardbio.com about how to establish local, native, and drought-tolerant species in backyards to support pollinators and wildlife.

In this episode we talk with Dr. Rosalyn Johnson from <a href="http://Yardbio.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Yardbio.com</a> about how to establish local, native, and drought-tolerant species in backyards to support pollinators and wildlife.

108 - Rosalyn Johnson - Bio-diverse and drought-tolerant gardens

Listen in to learn more about what drew Lila to Osmia lignaria, and how she is finding the effect of these bees on their landscape, and vice versa. "[Osmia] are really easy to work with, they're easy to buy, which is rare for a native bee source, and they're really easy systems to put in different places, so it was almost easier [for me to get into] than bumblebees." - Lila Westreich. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2018/11/19/lila-westreich/

Listen in to learn more about what drew Lila to Osmia lignaria, and how she is finding the effect of these bees on their landscape, and vice versa. "[Osmia] are really easy to work with, they're easy to buy, which is rare for a native bee source, and they're really easy systems to put in different places, so it was almost easier [for me to get into] than bumblebees." - Lila Westreich. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/?p=835&amp;preview=true" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2018/11/19/lila-westreich/</a>

74 Lila Westreich - Mason Bees and Landscapes

Shelley Hoover

Honey bee queen quality is an often overlooked dimension of colony health. In this episode we catch up with Dr. Shelley Hoover who is the Apiculture Researcher with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. She tells us about work to assess different commercial queen stocks and to fit queen production into crop pollination. 

Honey bee queen quality is an often overlooked dimension of colony health. In this episode we catch up with Dr. Shelley Hoover who is the Apiculture Researcher with Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development. She tells us about work to assess different commercial queen stocks and to fit queen production into crop pollination.

109 - Shelley Hoover - Its all in the queen

Lynda Boyer

Listen in to learn how Heritage Seedlings aids in restoration sites and pollinator health as a Flagship Farm, and the best native plants for your garden. "We have around 560 native prairie plant species, and the majority of them also have pollinator species that utilize both for flowering resources and for cover." - Lynda Boyer. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2019/02/04/lynda-boyer/

Listen in to learn how Heritage Seedlings aids in restoration sites and pollinator health as a Flagship Farm, and the best native plants for your garden. "We have around 560 native prairie plant species, and the majority of them also have pollinator species that utilize both for flowering resources and for cover." - Lynda Boyer. Learn more about this episode of PolliNation at <a href="http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2019/02/04/lynda-boyer/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://blogs.oregonstate.edu/pollinationpodcast/2019/02/04/lynda-boyer/</a>

85 Lynda Boyer - Producing Native Plants For Bees

Meghan Milbrath

Dr. Meghan Milbrath began working bees with her father as a child over 20 years ago, and now owns and manages The Sand Hill Apiary, a small livestock and queen rearing operation in Munith, Michigan. Meghan is active in multiple beekeeping organizations, writes for multiple beekeeping journals, and speaks about bees all over the country. She currently runs the Northern Bee Network, a directory and resource site dedicated to supporting queen producers, and she is passionate about keeping and promoting healthy bees. For more, visit us at pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu.

Dr. Meghan Milbrath began working bees with her father as a child over 20 years ago, and now owns and manages The Sand Hill Apiary, a small livestock and queen rearing operation in Munith, Michigan. Meghan is active in multiple beekeeping organizations, writes for multiple beekeeping journals, and speaks about bees all over the country. She currently runs the Northern Bee Network, a directory and resource site dedicated to supporting queen producers, and she is passionate about keeping and promoting healthy bees. For more, visit us at <a href="http://pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">pollinationpodcast.oregonstate.edu</a>.

09 Dr. Meghan Milbrath – Northern Bee Breeding Network

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