Bee-Hunters and Bee-Trees (A History in North America)

Cost: $35

Dates

• Fri., Sept. 19, 1-2:50 p.m.

Location: In person: Arcata

With Brian Dykstra, Independent Researcher

For honey bees, trees are natural nest locations. Honey bees were introduced to the North American continent in 1622, and into California in 1853, beginning a new chapter in how people have sought and pillaged bee colonies living in "bee trees." Meet the colorful bee-hunters of fictional fame and actual notoriety. Learn about the different methods employed to find a bee tree, and extract the honey, claim ownership of bee trees, etc. Learn about the role bee hunting and bee trees played in American art, fiction, and more. Bee hunters searching for bee trees continues to the present day; find out how and why. Some global context for bee-tree hunting will also be provided. Learn about bees and history from a unique perspective, with a strong focus on California.

Class #: 44039

Registration is now open for OLLI members. Non-members may register starting Sept. 3.

Brian Dykstra

Brian Dykstra is a botanist and ecologist. Bees, pollination biology, botany and ethnobiology are his interests. He completed his M.S. thesis on pollination ecology, and he earned a certificate in community college education (Humboldt State University). He has taught community college and managed an academic greenhouse for a large university. He has worked in pollination research and outreach, agricultural extension research, field botany, science editing, and served as education/outreach chair for a native plant society, farming, and much more.

Brian has been working for more than a decade on a book related to all-things "bee." He is happy to share some of his progress occasionally in a visual storytelling format for OLLI at Cal Poly Humboldt.