At least 19 species of bumble bees could o nce be found in Ohio\, but only about 10 of them are now frequent. \; Some were never common here\, but several once-abundant species are now in steep decline. Indeed\, two species are in danger of becoming extinct not only in our state\, but globally. One of those species\, the Rusty Patche d Bumble Bee\, has not been seen in Ohio since 2002. Habitat loss\, introd uced parasites\, and pesticide use are the most likely causes of this decl ine. \;Good habitat management can help them recover in some cases.&nb sp\;
\nIn response to concerns about pollinator health\, the Ohio Be e Survey was organized to bring together scientists\, parks\, and citizen scientists to evaluate the distribution and abundance of all of Ohio&rsquo \;s bees. Join the University of Akron&rsquo\;s Dr. Randy Mitchell to learn mor e about Ohio&rsquo\;s bumble bees\, the Ohio Bee Survey\, and what you can do to help some of our most important\, charismatic\, and vulnerable poll inators.
\nRandy Mitchell\, a Professor of Biology at the University of Akron\, is the Director of the University of Akron Field Station. Dr. Mitchell grew up loving science\, the outdoors\, backpacking\, and insects. He has done research in many wonderf ul places\, including Colorado&rsquo\;s Rocky Mountain Biological Laborato ry\, California&rsquo\;s deserts and mountains and scrub\, Adelaide Austra lia\, New Mexico&rsquo\;s mountains and deserts\, Wisconsin&rsquo\;s wetla nds\, and the wonderful Cuyahoga Valley. Dr. Mitchell specializes in resea rching the Ecology of plant-pollinator interactions
\nThe Akron Summ it County Public Library has materials available on bees\, including Buzz: The Nature and Necessity of Bees\, by Thor Hanso n.
\nThis program will be present ed on Zoom.
\nYou will receive an e-mail with the participation webl ink 1-2 days before the program. Please contact the Library if you are una ble to attend.
\nIf you do not have an e-mail address\, please conta ct Highland Square Branch Library at 330.376.2927 to learn how to particip ate by phone.
\nA webcam and microphone may be necessary to particip ate fully in this interactive event. If you have one or neither of these\, your participation may be limited.
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