Native Bees with Krystle Hickman

About This Event

Join National Geographic Explorer and community scientist Krystle Hickman at the Arboretum for an inspiring conversation about her work with native bees and the ecosystems they call home.

California is the most biodiverse bee population in the world, home to over 1,600 species of native bees — each playing a vital role in the habitats they live in. In her debut book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees, Krystle highlights a selection of these remarkable pollinators through stunning photography, engaging anecdotes, and personal observations.

During this special event, Krystle will introduce her new book, joined by Josh Jackson, author of The Enduring Wild: A Journey into California’s Public Lands, share the importance of protecting native bee populations, and lead a hands-on “bee-blitz” in Crescent Farm — a thriving habitat for native bees, including the Agile Longhorn Bee, featured as the “A” in her upcoming book.

Whether you’re already a devoted native bee enthusiast or just bee-curious, this event is sure to engage, educate, and inspire you to join the movement to conserve these extraordinary insects.

Book Press Release: https://www.heydaybooks.com/catalog/abcs-of-californias-native-bees/

Book Description: https://www.heydaybooks.com/pr-abcs/

Krystle Hickman’s Website: https://beesip.com

Krystle Hickman is a National Geographic Explorer and community scientist based in Los Angeles. With a passion for nature and an eye for artful photography, Hickman strives to elevate awareness of the decline of native bee species and shed light on their intricate and biodiverse ecosystems. Hickman’s commitment to conservation takes her across the globe, documenting rare native bees without resorting to any form of lethal collecting. Hickman’s influence extends beyond the lens: She has graced multiple television and online broadcasts, been interviewed on podcasts such as Ologies, presented at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16) in Colombia, and lectured at colleges such as Harvard, UC Irvine, UCLA, and more.

Josh Jackson is a writer, photographer, and leading voice for public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Through his evocative Forgotten Lands Project, Josh employs immersive storytelling and striking visual narratives to inspire appreciation and engagement with our least understood, least protected, and largely unknown landscapes. His advocacy work has been featured by the Los Angeles Times, SFGate, and the Nature’s Archive podcast. He lives in Los Angeles with his wife and three children. The Enduring Wild: A Journey into California’s Public Lands is his first book. Explore more of his work at forgottenlandsproject.com.