College of DuPage hosts 'Native Bees: Their Abundance and Importance' May 7

Learn about bees native to Illinois during the "Native Bees: Their Abundance and Importance" talk at 5:30 p.m. Monday, May 7, in the Health and Science Center, Room 1234, on the College of DuPage Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd.

This event is free and open to the public.

Presented by native bee expert Terry Miesle, the talk will cover the history and habits of the more than 400 important and lesser-known bee species of Illinois, as well as threats to their habitats and resources to get involved with helping protect this important animal.

Miesle monitors bees and other insects at Fermilab Natural Areas and is part of an initiative to raise awareness of native bees and their importance to the ecosystem.

For more information, please contact Outdoor Lab/Prairie Manager Remic Ensweiler at ensweilerr@cod.edu.

The college's prairie and natural areas feature nearly 300 species of native tallgrass plants. The area also hosts a variety of wildlife including many species of insects, toads, frogs, turtles, small mammals, coyotes and birds such as warblers, wading birds, owls and hawks.

Visit www.cod.edu/programs/biology/natural_areas/index.aspx for more information about events related to the natural areas on COD's campus.