EVENTS: Native Bees of MA, Their Diversity and Natural History Free NRWA Presentation 
How many kinds of bees can you name: honey bees, bumble bees, sweat bees perhaps? Most people are familiar with non-native honey bees and their role in pollinating commercial crops and many are acquainted with recent challenges that some populations are having, but few are aware of the great diversity of native bees that we have in our region and roles they play in pollinating our indigenous plants.
Nashua River Watershed Association (NRWA) invites the public to a free presentation "Native Bees of Massachusetts, Their Diversity and Natural History" Wed., July 30, 7-8:30 p.m., at NRWA River Resource Center, 592 Main St. (Rt.119), Groton. Presenter will be Michael Veit, Biology teacher at Lawrence Academy in Groton.
Michael's presentation will be about native bees, their diversity, beauty, importance, and fascinating life histories. Focus will be on our native bee community in general terms but will touch upon contrasting life styles of species that are flower generalists, specialists on certain plant species, and even bees that are nest parasites of other bees. Learn how to differentiate true bees from "wanna-bees", and we will dispel some common myths about bees. Talk will include info about variation in sociality among bee species, nesting, life cycles, and touch upon native bee conservation.
Michael became interested in native bees about seven years ago after spending years studying and surveying dragonflies and damselflies of New England, and before that studying blackflies at UNH for his Masters degree. Since then he has spent much of his summers traveling around MA and the other New England states surveying and making discoveries regarding native bee diversity of our region.
Presentation is free and open to the public. Pre-registration appreciated by contacting Pam Gilfillan, NRWA Development Associate, at (978) 448-0299, or email PamG@NashuaRiverWatershed.org. Free presentations made possible by support of members and donors. For more upcoming programs, visit www.NashuaRiverWatershed.org.
