Wednesday, February 5, 7pm at First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St, Greenfield 

GREENFIELD, MA – Have you ever thought about the role that trees play in the life of bees? This is a question members of the Greenfield Tree Committee recently asked themselves. On Wed. February 5 at 7pm, we can all learn more about this topic, and can find out what we can do to support bees at a free talk by Joan Milam at First Congregational Church, 43 Silver St, Greenfield.

Joan Milam, a research scientist and UMass Amherst faculty member, will talk about her research on native bees and trees. After introducing us to the diversity of bees in our area, she will talk about what she has learned about the importance of trees and forest habitat to bees. She will also share her thoughts about how planting specific trees along our streets, and in our parks and yards, can make a difference to the lives of bees.

“The health of honey bees, which were brought here from Europe to support our food crops, has been much in the news over the past few years,” says Nancy Hazard, Greenfield Tree Committee, and Greening Greenfield member. “But we also have over 350 native bee species, according to the Hitchcock Center for the Environment, in our area that are equally important to maintaining our world as we know it. Many of these native bees are experiencing various environmental stressors but fortunately, there is much we can do to support them!”

Joan Milam has researched the conservation of native bees, biodiversity, and taxonomy for many years. She has conducted baseline inventories of native bees in Massachusetts and elsewhere, and explored the effects of managed habitats and habitat restoration on native bee populations. With a particular interest in trees and forests, she has explored how we could manage forested areas in our communities, including our street trees and yards, so that they support and enhance bee populations.

The Greenfield Tree Committee and Greening Greenfield are collaborating to bring Joan Milam to Greenfield. The all-volunteer Greenfield Tree Committee aims to engage the public and to work with the DPW in planting and maintaining a strong and resilient urban forest in Greenfield. The group raises funds and seeks grants for tree plantings through its fiscal agent, the Connecticut River Conservancy. Learn more at www.greenfieldtreecommittee.org.

Greening Greenfield recently launched a Planting for Pollinators campaign to build biodiversity and beauty in Greenfield as part of its overall mission to build a more sustainable Greenfield. More information about Greening Greenfield is available at https://greeninggreenfieldma.org/.

After the talk, refreshments will be served, and there will be an opportunity to talk with the speaker and the organizers, and pick up resource materials.