26 Jan Podcast Episode 9
Native bees with Dr Sheila Colla
Native bees with Dr Sheila Colla
In this episode of What the f*** is biodiversity, Ann and Sheila talk about the important work of native bees in Canada and why they’re so critical for the environment and our food systems. Sheila also debunks some pretty common misconceptions about them as many species are solitary and don’t actually produce honey. She also shares how we can help support these important pollinators.
About Dr Sheila Colla
Dr Sheila Colla, a classically trained ecologist who is an assistant professor of Environmental Studies at York University and the Principal Investigator of the Native Pollinator Research Lab. In her research, she uses scientific principles to address real-world conservation issues. More specifically, she focuses on less understood native species like bees, butterflies and flowering plants. She also researches species with large ranges across the US and Canada as well as local species that are at-risk in Ontario. Sheila works closely with environmental NGOs, landowners, academic partners and government agencies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels to ensure the best available science informs conservation management methods. Be sure to check out today’s episode notes on our website to learn more about Sheila.
About Sheila Colla
Sheila Colla, a classically trained ecologist who is an assistant professor of Environmental Studies at York University and the Principal Investigator of the Native Pollinator Research Lab. In her research, she uses scientific principles to address real-world conservation issues. More specifically, she focuses on less understood native species like bees, butterflies and flowering plants. She also researches species with large ranges across the US and Canada as well as local species that are at-risk in Ontario. Sheila works closely with environmental NGOs, landowners, academic partners and government agencies at the municipal, provincial and federal levels to ensure the best available science informs conservation management methods. Be sure to check out today’s episode notes on our website to learn more about Sheila.
Episode Notes
FIND SHEILA ONLINE
SHEILA’S SELECT PUBLICATION LIST
- Google Scholar Publication List
- The Conversation Publication List
- Bumble Bees of North America: An Identification Guide, by Paul H. Williams, Robbin W. Thorp, Leif L. Richardson, and Sheila R. Colla
- Bees of Toronto: A guide to their remarkable world, by City of Toronto, Royal Ontario Museum, York University and Live Green Toronto
- A Flower Patch for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee: Creating Habitat Gardens for Native Pollinators in the Greater Toronto Area, by Lorraine Johnson and Sheila Colla
- Examining the public’s awareness of bee (Hymenoptera: Apoidae: Anthophila) conservation in Canada, by Nyssa van Vierssen Trip, Victoria J. MacPhail, Sheila R. Colla and Beatrice Olivastri, Society for Conservation Biology
- How planting a garden can boost bees, local food and resilience during the coronavirus crisis, by Sheila Colla, The Conversation
- How Wet’suwet’en butterflies offer lessons in resilience and resistance, by Sheila Colla, The Conversation
MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT BEES IN CANADA
- York researchers find Canadians lack knowledge about bees, York University
INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE’S RED LIST OF THREATENED SPECIES
POLLINATION
- What is pollination?, Bee City Canada
- How bees help plants have sex – Fernanda S. Valdovinos, TED-Ed
LEAVE THE LEAVES
- A little help from my friends: How fallen leaves support biodiversity and climate, by Jaime Clifton-Ross, National Environmental Treasure blog
- How fallen leaves support biodiversity and climate, National Environmental Treasure video
LISA MEYERS
- Lisa Meyers, Indigenous art curator
- Planting one Another (twin re-planting of a Medicine and Butterfly garden by the late Mi’kmaq artist Mike MacDonald)
ECOSYSTEM SERVICES
- Why is nature so important for humans: The Basics of Ecosystem Services, National Environmental Treasure blog
- Why is nature important for humans?, National Environmental Treasure video
PROTECTED AREAS, CONNECTIVITY AND CORRIDORS
- Why linking protected areas is crucial for wildlife movement, by Emily Jerome, National Environmental Treasure blog
- Establishing protected areas is key to safeguarding biodiversity, by Jeremy Guth, National Environmental Treasure blog
- Protected areas with Jeremy Guth, episode 2 of the National Environmental Treasure’s podcast, What the f*** is biodiversity
BEE MICROBIOMES
- Bees seeking bacteria: How bees find their microbiome, by Lila Westreich, The Conversation