Wild Honeybees at Galbreath

Galbreath Wildlands Preserve
3:00 am – 9:00 am

Admission Fees: $10

Registration Links:
Register for this event through Apis Arborea

There is something truly awe-inspiring about witnessing honeybees flying in and out of their secretive wild abode nestled within a tree. Apis Arborea has been conducting fascinating research on wild honeybee populations at Galbreath Preserve for seven years. Come hear from the investigators themselves about this project, while traversing the preserve and even participating in research yourself! This event is being hosted and organized by Apis Arborea.

Leader

Michael Thiele is the founder and president of Apis Arborea. His pioneering approach to apiculture and honeybee conservation has appeared in national and international magazines, books, and films.

Details

Field Trip to the Wild Honeybee Populations of the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve

Honeybees have been intertwined with trees since ancient times and constitute an evolutionary system. However, nowadays, when one thinks of a “honeybee hive,” the first image that typically comes to mind is a white box in an apiary. 

Numerous indicators suggest that wild honeybees exhibit remarkable resilience and longevity, surpassing the health of their counterparts in managed apiaries. The intricate interdependencies within wild ecosystems appear to foster their flourishing. To delve into this phenomenon within our own bioregion, Apis Arborea initiated a comprehensive 7-year research endeavor at the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve, one of Sonoma State University’s Preserve

Since 2021, nearly 50 wild honeybee trees have been identified and are subjected to monthly monitoring. Through this endeavor, we’ve had the privilege of witnessing their intrinsic preferences and behaviors while delving into their life cycles and their role as integral members of a diverse pollinator community. Several research nesting sites have been established for climate monitoring, and in 2023, we collaborated with multiple universities for genetic sampling. The results of these efforts will be published later this year.

In an effort to extend this knowledge to our broader community, we’re offering a rare chance to join us on a field trip to the Preserve. During this excursion, we will spend the day exploring wild bee trees, delving into the intricacies of our project and its discoveries, and engaging in hands-on activities such as beelining.

We are looking forward to welcoming you for this trip into the Wild (please know that only a limited amount of tickets is available).

“In observing bees in their most unadulterated state, we often find our perceptions of them undergo a profound transformation. Indeed, we may even discover that we ourselves are changed in the process”.  Jonathan Powell (wild honeybee custodian, UK)

Logistics

You will be asked to sign a waiver upon your arrival. All children and minors must be accompanied by a legal guardian or a group leader who can legally take on that role (e.g., Girl Scout group). No pets or smoking permitted.

For more information about event logistics (transportation, meeting spot, timing, what to bring, amount of hiking planned) contact Michael at info@apisarborea.org.

COVID-19 Safety

Do not attend if you test positive for COVID-19 or if you have any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19. All SSU updated guidelines can be found here.

How to Sign Up

Register through Apis Arborea at the link below. Each participant should register separately. 

About the Center

Sonoma State University’s Center for Environmental Inquiry empowers university students to work with community members on the environmental challenges of the North Bay. Our mission is to create an engaged and environmentally ready society, one where all people have the skills to find solutions to the challenges facing our earth. SSU Preserves are open to everyone engaged in education or research. Reservations are required.