Pollinators

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, operations at the University of Massachusetts Amherst have been significantly reduced. All in-person UMass Extension events have been canceled or postponed. More information about changes to extension services can be found here. 

 

Additionally, MDAR apiary inspections for hobbyists and sideliners have unfortunately been suspended. Read the following letter for more information. 

 

We realize this is a challenging time for everyone and we thank you for your patience and understanding. Please continue to check this page and the Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment for more updates. 

 

(In the meantime, check out our Facebook page for updates, new research, and info about virtual events!  Search for @UMassExtPollinators on Facebook) 

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At UMass Amherst, researchers and extension professionals from diverse disciplines are working to improve the health of honey bees and native pollinators.

If you want to receive emails with information about upcoming workshops or research updates, click here to join our mailing list.

Use the navigation panel to:

Or click on the buttons below to explore the following topic areas:

(If you are a UMass student interested in bees, scroll down to the bottom of this page!)

    Pollinator Friendly Pest Management

    Honey Bees

    Solitary Bees on Chicory

    Native Bees

    Managing Landscapes for Pollinators

    Managing Landscapes for Pollinators

    Are you a UMass student interested in bees? Here are some ways to get involved:

    Pollinator Updates

    Seeking Veterinarians with Beekeeping Experience

    UMass Amherst is seeking certified veterinarians who have at least two years of beekeeping experience (backyard or commercial) and are interested in conducting honey bee veterinary visits.

    As part of a grant through the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and in collaboration with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, we are creating resources and training materials for veterinarians who want to add honey bees to their practice. We are seeking beekeeper-veterinarians to give us feedback on materials, trainings and protocols (while gaining skills to inspect hives).  

    If you are interested and meet the criteria, email extension educator Hannah Whitehead at hwhitehead@umass.edu for more information.

    UMass Amherst is seeking certified veterinarians who have at least two years of beekeeping experience (backyard or commercial) and are interested in conducting honey bee veterinary visits.

    As part of a grant through the Massachusetts Department of Agriculture and in collaboration with Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University, we are creating resources and training materials for veterinarians who want to add honey bees to their practice. We are seeking beekeeper-veterinarians to give us feedback on materials, trainings and protocols (while gaining skills to inspect hives).  

    If you are interested and meet the criteria, email extension educator Hannah Whitehead at hwhitehead@umass.edu for more information.

    Article about Bees and Climate Change

    Check out the article on climate change and pollinators that was just published on the Mass ECAN (Ecosystem and Climate Adaptation Network) website!

    Photos from Spring 2019 Workshops!

    Honey Bees Under the Microscope, April 6 

    Honey Bees Under the Microscope Photos

    Fight the Mite, May 4

    Fight the Mite 1 Fight the Mite 2 Fight the Mite 3   Fight the Mite 4

    Look at the landscape from a bee's perspective using "beescape"

    Researchers at Penn State just launched a new web tool (called "beescape") that allows you to explore the landscape from a bee's perspective! Learn more about it here. Check it out here.