Park invites the public to learn about native bees

Entomologist Jessica Rykken from Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology is bringing two programs about her recent survey of native bees in Olympic National Park.

Entomologist Jessica Rykken from Harvard University’s Museum of Comparative Zoology is bringing two programs about her recent survey of native bees in Olympic National Park.

Both programs are offered on Monday, Sept. 1 (Labor Day).

From 1:30-3:30 p.m., check out “Catch the Buzz!” at Hurricane Ridge Visitor Center, where Rykken hosts an informal drop-in for visitors to learn about her work on insect pollinators at Olympic and use a microscope for close-up views of bees and flower flies.

At 8 p.m. is “Catch the Buzz!” at Heart o’the Hills Campground Amphitheater. Rykken presents an evening slide program about Olympic’s native bees and flower flies.

Rykken has spent two weeks at Olympic National Park to survey native bees and flower flies, two diverse groups of pollinators that aid in maintaining healthy ecosystems in the park. Her programs focus on insects she found at both alpine and lower elevation sites within Olympic National Park, and also discusses the diversity, natural history and ecology of these pollinators.

Both programs are offered free of charge, although an entrance fee is required to enter Olympic National Park.