I am a gardener and amateur naturalist, always on the lookout for bees. I am also a founding member of Friends of Bees. Though I find honeybees fascinating, I am not a beekeeper. Instead I manage my garden for the benefit of the many species of native bees, such as bumblebees. Doing so also helps other pollinators, such as butterflies and moths, and beneficial predatory insects, such as ladybugs and flower flies. When I see the variety of bees in my garden, I am glad to call myself a bee rancher.
If you have a yard, you too can be a bee rancher by following these three simple rules:
- Don’t use insecticides.
- Avoid disturbing the ground.
- Grow flowers!
A Native Bee Rancher 
Hi Pam Phillips – I am a biologist residing in Newton, MA, and an advisor to the Newton Conservators. We just received a request from a Newton North High School student interested in native bee conservation. She would like to interview an expert, and having recently learned of your work and website, I instantly thought of you. Would you be willing to have a high school student contact you and arrange an interview? Please let me know, and I look forward to corresponding with you more. I only recently discovered your impressive website. Best,
Eric Olson, 617-872-9928 (cell) and eolson@brandeis.edu
Senior Lecturer in Ecology
Program in Sustainable International Development
The Heller School for Social Policy and Management
Brandeis University
415 South Street
Mailstop 035
Post Office Box 549110
Waltham, MA 02454-9110
FYI I have a PhD in insect ecology and raise butterflies and moths as a hobby. Life long interest in plant-arthropod interactions. Currently working on ticks and the diseases they carry, and the ecological web that sustains them, see following links for a bit more info.
Article……http://www.brandeis.edu/magazine/2012/fall-winter/perspective.html
Letters……http://www.brandeis.edu/magazine/2013/spring/letters.html