Presentation—The Truth About Bees

Speaker—Francis Mullan

"Save the Bees" has become a major cultural movement recently, inspiring many to get into beekeeping to try to conserve honey bees. Few people are aware that honey bees are not the only bees in North America though, and that the energy devoted to "Saving the Bees" has largely been misplaced. So where should it be placed? What are these other kinds of bees? And come to think of it, what are bees exactly, anyway? Entomologist Francis Mullan will answer these questions and more, and unveil the truth about bees.

Francis Mullan is an entomologist, educator, and naturalist. He holds a bachelor's degree in Insect Ecology and Conservation from the University of Delaware and a master's degree in Integrative Biology from Kennesaw State University. For his master's thesis, he conducted research on the effects of climate change and urbanization on various bee species. He has previously worked for the USDA, the National Wildlife Federation, and the USGS Bee Inventory and Monitoring Lab in Laurel, MD. His greatest passion is opening people's eyes to the beauty and wonder of biodiversity, especially as it presents itself through insects, thus allowing people to enrich their lives through a new understanding and admiration for the natural world.

And, by the way, Francis volunteers as a Habitat Advisor with the PGAS Wildlife Habitat Program.