Nature Sunday: Native Bees in Neighborhoods and Parks of the CA Central Coast

Native bees come in all sizes and colors. Just like us, they are attracted to the mild climate and diverse flowers of the central California coast. Biologist Cindy Roessler will share colorful up-close photographs of our local native bees, the flowers that attract them, and where they nest. Then we’ll look for signs of native bees in the SLO Botanic Garden.

Note: There are fewer native bees out in late August of a dry year, however, we will see many local plants in the botanic garden that attract native bees. We will not be talking about the European honey bee, just the uniquely diverse native California bees.

As a professional ecologist, Cindy has restored wildland parks to natural conditions for over 35 years and she’s recently become an amateur fanatic about native bees. She’s swung nets at the Elfin Forest, Montańa de Oro State Park, and Piedras Blancas Light Station for the California Bumble Bee Atlas. Since restoring her yard to native dune and coastal scrub habitats, she now steps out her front door every day to go on native bee safaris. Her favorite native bees at the moment are the dancing leaf cutter bees and the aptly named fog belt bumble bee.

Please note: El Chorro Regional Park requires a $3 park entry fee on weekends and holidays. Having cash ready speeds up check in.