The Bee's Knees
Bees are intelligent, compassionate creatures responsible for 90% of the world’s food. They contribute to sustainable farming, biodiversity, environmental protection, and more. Listen in to learn about the wonderful world of native bees and how you can nurture the literal busy bees of Mother Nature.
Episodes
68 episodes
Pollination Overload: Why More Honey Bees Don't Always Mean Better Crops
Can having too many honeybee hives in our landscapes be detrimental? Dr. Ainhoa Magrach led a comprehensive review that brings fresh clarity to a long-standing question—how does the number of honeybee hives in a landscape affect wild pollinator...
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Season 3
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Episode 67
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11:46
The Nutrient Niche: What Bumble Bees Eat
Are we planting the right flowers for bees? We’re talking about the surprising dietary habits of wild bumble bees with Dr. Justin Bain who shares fascinating insights into how bumble bees choose their food and why it's essential for their survi...
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Season 3
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Episode 66
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15:04
Living with Bees: Urban Harmony & Habitat
What does it mean to live with wild bees in an urban setting? Today we speak with Matthew Donahue who shares insights on how cities can be adapted to support bee populations. We discuss the differences between urban and wild habitats, the impac...
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Season 3
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Episode 65
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17:51
Beyond the Bloom: What Really Attracts Bees to Gardens
Why do some gardens buzz with life while others fall silent? In this episode, Dr. Laura Russo shares surprising findings from her research on floral diversity and bee populations. From urban parks to cattle fields, her team discovered that poll...
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Season 3
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Episode 64
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17:07
A Bee Buffet: Surprising Insights into What Bees Choose to Eat
What happens when bees don't eat their greens? We explore Dr. Etya Amsalem's intriguing research on bee dietary patterns and their implications for fitness and sustainability. Find out why even bees sometimes opt for sweets over sustenance and ...
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Season 3
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Episode 63
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17:52
Between Asphalt and Agriculture: Where Bees Find a Home
How can we enhance biodiversity in our cities and what is the vital role of urban green spaces in supporting pollinators? We’re exploring the relationship between urban sprawl and native bees with researcher Leonardo Lorenzato. Discover how urb...
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Season 3
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Episode 62
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11:21
Rethinking Urban Green Space for Bees: Meadowscaping
In this episode of ‘The Bees Knees', Shishir Paudel joins to discuss the implications of managing urban greenery as manicured lawns versus letting them flourish as diverse meadows. We cover biodiversity, ecosystem services and disservice...
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Season 3
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Episode 61
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15:20
Planting Change: Leigh Biagi’s Path to Pollinators
We speak with Leigh Biagi, a dedicated environmental advocate and founder of On the Verge. Discover how Leigh transformed her passion for change into a community-focused bee conservation project, learn about the challenges and successes of her ...
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Season 3
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Episode 60
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21:06
Toxic Nectar: How Pollinators are Exposed to Metals in Urban Landscapes
Delve into the critical issue of toxic metals in urban nectar with Dr. Sarah Scott. The conversation reveals how contaminated pollen and nectar pose significant risks to bees, affecting their health and productivity. Dr. Scott shares insights f...
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Season 3
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Episode 59
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12:21
Birds, Bees, and Big Data: Rethinking Conservation
Native bees are essential for biodiversity but face significant threats. In this episode, Dr. Josée Rousseau discusses her research, which uses bird data to predict wild bee richness. Learn about the data sources used, why birds are excellent i...
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Season 3
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Episode 58
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15:12
Unearthing Habitats: Transforming Sand Mines into Bee Havens
Are sand mines hidden gems for bee conservation? Dr. Nicola Seitz shares the surprising role of reclaimed sand mines as vital habitats for wild bee populations. Despite their industrial origins, these landscapes host a diverse array of bee spec...
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Season 3
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Episode 57
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14:23
The Quarry Connection: Linking Habitat Restoration and Bee Biodiversity
Discover how abandoned quarries can become thriving bee habitats! Dr. Felix Kirsch unveils the surprising role these landscapes play in bee conservation. By fostering natural habitats within these sites and ensuring strategic connectivity with ...
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Season 3
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Episode 56
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13:47
Bees, Biodiversity, and the Future of Food
Uncover the hidden heroes of pollination—wild and native bees—and their crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance and food security. Dr. Natalie Lemanski shares fascinating research on seasonal shifts in bee communities and their impact on ...
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Season 3
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Episode 54
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16:26
Honoring Bees and Biodiversity
In this episode of The Bee’s Knees, we’re buzzing about two global celebrations: World Bee Day and the International Day for Biodiversity. Discover the vital role of wild and native bees in preserving ecosystems, maintaining biodiversity, and s...
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Season 3
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Episode 55
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4:04
The Secrets of Bee Foraging: How Flower Choices Affect Bee Behavior and Biodiversity
We’re exploring the fascinating world of flower foraging by bees with Dr. Jaya Mokkapati. How do different bee species decide between the quantity of flowers and the nutritional quality of pollen? What drives these choices, and what can they te...
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Season 3
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Episode 53
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8:42
The Fungi Factor: The Surprising Discovery of Mold's Impact on Leafcutter Bees
Dive into the world of solitary leafcutter bees and discover how a seemingly undesirable mold could actually be their unlikely ally. Dr. Victoria Luizzi shares their fascinating research on Aspergillus mold, which might offer protective benefit...
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Season 3
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Episode 52
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15:13
Pollinators in Peril: How Habitat Loss, Pesticides, and Climate Change Are Threatening Our Ecosystem
In today's complex ecosystem, native bees play a critical role in maintaining biodiversity through their vital pollination efforts. However, their populations are under threat from various stressors such as climate change, habitat loss, and pes...
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Season 3
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Episode 51
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18:22
Building Buzz: Community Efforts to Support Native Bees
In this inspiring episode, we're joined by Caroline Wagar from Environment America to explore simple, impactful steps each of us can take to support native bees. From creating vibrant urban gardens to pioneering legislative efforts, discover ho...
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Season 3
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Episode 50
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13:59
Guardians of the Stingless Bees: Exploring the Mission to Sustain Melipona Bee Populations
In this episode of The Bee's Knees, we take a virtual journey to Mexico to explore the world of the melipona, a stingless honey bee essential for pollinating the Yucatan rainforest. Join us as Rebecca Robertson, founding director of the Mayan M...
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Season 3
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Episode 49
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14:27
Pollinators and the Art of Choice: Navigating the Chemistry of Floral Rewards
Ever wondered how bees choose their favorite flowers? Today we’re talking with Dr. Claire Hemingway who reveals fascinating insights into pollinator cognition and how bees' decisions impact biodiversity.
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Season 3
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Episode 48
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8:08
From Bloom to Boom: How PollinAction is Reviving Pollinator Populations
What can be done about the alarming decline in pollinator populations? Today, we’re talking about the PollinAction Project’s impactful initiatives with researcher Leonardo Lorenzato. Discover how creating green infrastructures, promoting econom...
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Season 3
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Episode 47
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21:24
Season 3: Bee Enthusiasts
Welcome to Season 3 of The Bee’s Knees! We’ll be talking to bee enthusiasts from around the globe, learning about the latest research and everyday opportunities to support and protect our native bees. Tune in for inspiring stories and actionabl...
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Season 3
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Episode 46
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1:49
Scent of Survival: How do Heatwaves Impact Bumblebees?
Today’s conversation explores how extreme temperatures disrupt the chemical communication between plants and bumblebees, specifically their ability to detect floral scents. Dr. Sabine Nooten explains her study findings on the impact of heat on ...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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8:48
Urban Buzz: Transforming Pollination in Cityscapes
In our bustling urban environments, the complex dance of pollination continues, often unnoticed. This week's discussion dives into the intricacies of urban pollination ecology with Dr. Elsa Youngstead, exploring how plants and pollinators inter...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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16:41
Bridging the Bumblebee 'Hungry Gap': Innovative Strategies for Pollinator Planting
Imagine sleeping for a couple of months, waking up and realizing you’ve got to build a house, get a job, raise some kids, and feed them. Bumblebee queens go through this every spring and it’s really a critical time for their survival. Today, we...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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9:49