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My guest for this episode is Dr. Dennis vanEngelsdorp, a research scientist with the University of Maryland and the former Chief apiarist for Pennsylvania. Dennis has investigated colony collapse disorder and the on-going bee die off since Dave Hackenberg first reported large colony losses.

I wanted to speak with Dennis after seeing him in the documentary “Who Killed The Honeybee?” and then happened to see a recent research paper he was involved with, as well as his TED talk “A Plea for Bees”.

During our conversation we talk about his work with bees, the ongoing loss of bee colonies in the United States and elsewhere, the role of bees as pollinators in our food supply, and what we can do to support honeybees and native pollinators.

Two things I really enjoyed about this particular conversation was how precise and technical the conversation got regarding the research and issues surrounding bees, while still remaining accessible. For all of his work and research, I never felt like Dennis spoke over our heads. Part of that, I imagine, come from his love and passion for bees. Listening to him describe the co-evolution of flowers and pollinators reminded me of the beauty of nature and why I love this work and want to take care of this little space of mine and build a better world by including habitat for pollinators and tend to the other species around us.

If you enjoy this episode you may enjoy:

Native Plants with Dr. Doug Tallamy

Stream Restoration with Dr. Bern Sweeney

The Soil Food Web with Jeff Lowenfels

Resources:

Dennis vanEnglesdorp, PhD

Dennis vanEnglesdorp: A Plea for Bees (TED Talk Video)

Bee Informed Partnership

Crop Pollination Exposes Honey Bees to Pesticides Which Alters Their Susceptibility to the Gut Pathogen Nosema ceranae (Research Article)