hen it comes to pollination, honeybees get all the attention, but most of the credit belongs to a diverse group of organisms that call New England home. There have been over 350 species of wild bees identified in Vermont to date, and they – along with myriad moths, butterflies, wasps, beetles, flies, and birds – are responsible for pollinating ~80% of flowering plants and ~66% of food crops. Recent reports of declining insect populations have spurred a worldwide movement to restore habitat, promote biodiversity, and integrate pollinator conservation into the human landscape. At the same time, the northeast is facing a critical shortage of native plant stock, threatening to stall many state and local restoration efforts.

This course will provide an introduction to pollination ecology, focusing on the relationships between our native pollinators and their environment. Topics will include ecology, natural history, conservation, field methods, and an overview of native plant propagation and habitat restoration. Students will leave this course with a basic understanding of New England’s native pollinators, the plants that support them, and the tools needed for their conservation.

Course Goals & Objectives

• Become familiar with New England's native pollinators and their basic biology and ecology.
• Explore the diversity of New England’s native bees.
• Discuss the differences between domesticated honeybees and native pollinators.
• Develop an understanding of the ecological, economic, and social benefits provided by pollinators.
• Learn basic field identification skills.
• Practice standard field methods.
• Discuss the current state of pollinator populations, and implications for the future.
• Learn strategies for pollinator conservation such as native plant cultivation, and the establishment and maintenance of pollinator habitat.

Jason Mazurowski is an ecologist, naturalist, and adjunct instructor at the University of Vermont where he teaches courses in pollination ecology and field science. Much of Jason’s recent work has focused on studying native bee populations, and he is currently establishing a small native plant nursery at his home in Woodbury. In addition to co-instructing a Winter Ecology field course in Maine with author and naturalist Bernd Heinrich, he has experience as a backcountry guide leading dogsled expeditions in the Minnesota’s boundary waters. In the summer, he can usually be found biking, hiking or running through the mountains of northern New England. During winter months, Jason spends much of his time baking bread, backcountry skiing, and writing. Jason earned bachelor’s degrees in geology and environmental studies from SUNY Buffalo, and a master’s degree from the University of Vermont’s Field Naturalist Program.

Physical Requirements

Participants must be able to walk 2-3 miles over the course of each day, sometimes off trail over uneven and potentially muddy terrain. Participants should be comfortable outside in potentially hot, muggy, wet, and/or buggy conditions for long periods of time. Please reach out to us if you have any questions about mobility and/or other accessibility needs.

Pollinators of Native Plants: Attract, Observe, and Identify Pollinators and Beneficial Insects with Native Plants by Heather Holm: It is the single greatest resource that I know of for pollinator conservation in the Eastern U.S. It is organized by plant species and habitat, full of illustrations, diagrams, and photos geared toward all experience levels. It has a permanent place in my backpack, and I never go into the field without it.

Common Bees of Eastern North America by Olivia Messinger Carril and Joseph S. Wilson: This is the first real field guide to native bees that does not require the use of a microscope. Bees are notoriously difficult to ID in the field and this highly anticipated guide includes keys, photos, range maps and field marks to help make native bee ID more accessible to the general public.

Nature’s Best Hope by Doug Tallamy: While we will spend time discussing each group of native pollinators, the majority of our focus will be on native bees. For a broader look into the other groups of pollinators and their role in biodiversity conservation, Doug Tallamy is the current leading authority on the subject. This book looks at moths and butterflies in particular, and their ecological roles as a primary food source for birds and other wildlife.

Buzz by Thor Hanson: The most engaging book I have ever read about pollinators and pollination. There is a strong focus on biology and natural history, with some amazing insight into our cultural ties to bees.

Bumblebee Economics by Bernd Heinrich: Bumblebees are a fascinating and charismatic genus, however, we will only scratch the surface on their fascinating biology and life history. For those who are left wanting to learn more, Bernd Heinrich’s groundbreaking account of their ecology and bioenergetics is the best resource out there.