Untangling misplaced conservation enthusiasm – Improving public education and action on the global pollinator biodiversity crisis with experimental exhibits

Funding Years: 2024-2026

Global declines of pollinator populations have raised concerns over food security and species extinctions. In response, efforts to “save the bees” have resulted in a large increase in urban beekeeping and other efforts to bolster honeybee populations. However, honeybees are not native to much of their modern range and can actively contribute to declines of wild native pollinators due to disease transmission and competition for flowers. Untangling Misplaced Conservation Enthusiasm is a program aimed at balancing the complicated relationship between the deep cultural connection humans have with honeybees and the potential harm caused by beekeeping practices on wild pollinator species of conservation concern. The interdisciplinary program leverages decades of expertise from researchers at Colorado State University and Butterfly Pavilion to produce culturally and ecologically informed education exhibits to better align public understanding of pollinator declines with scientific knowledge.

Principal Investigators:

  • John Mola, Assistant Professor, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
  • Rebecca Niemiec, Assistant Professor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
  • Veronica Champine, Research Scientist, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
  • Nicole Archambeau, Associate Professor, History
  • Seth Davis, Associate Professor, Forest and Rangeland Stewardship
  • Tara Teel, Professor, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources