November 2023 Speaker
Phyllis Stiles: Migration or Hibernation? How do Tiny Pollinators Survive Winter?

Phyllis Stiles is the founder and director of the national programs,  Bee City USA® and Bee Campus USA. The North American Pollinator Protection Campaign named her the 2015 Pollinator Advocate of the Year for the United States.  She encourages city and educational campus leaders to celebrate and raise awareness of the contribution bees and other pollinators make to our world, asserting that if we reduce pesticide use and plant a diversity of native plants rich in nectar and pollen, we will help both native bees and honey bees, as well as thousands of other pollinator species. 

• She believes that gardeners are at the forefront of protecting pollinators. 

• Her journey started in 2007 because bees were vanishing. A UN 2016 report stated that 40% of insect pollinator species were at risk of extinction, including 28% of American bumble bees. 

• More numerous and diverse species give ecosystems a better chance of survival in the face of climate change.

• In 2012 Asheville became the 1st Bee City USA in the nation! Since 2017 Asheville GreenWorks has managed our local program. Asheville GreenWorks Pollinator Habitat Certification Program. 

• Our Mantra is ”Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has.” Margaret Mead. 

• There are over 372 Bee Cities/Campuses in 46 states and the DC area.  

• What works survives in nature. Pollinators include beetles, flies, moths, bees, and butterflies. Also, hummingbirds, and bats.   Only the females can sting. They sting if they feel a need to defend their nest. Most bees are solitary vs. social. Bees are vegan. Wasps eat other bugs and are great for pest management.  Most pollinators die off at the end of fall. Some survive as eggs, larvae, and some adults. We learned about the social and solitary bee life cycles. Bees can decide how many female or male eggs to lay at the end of the year. 

• Plant diversity depends on pollinators. Give them the plants they coevolved with.

• 20K bee species specialize in certain pollen (plants) and plants depend on certain pollinators.

• Depending on the species, pollinators are emerging throughout the growing season.

• Bring Nature Home, by Douglas W. Tallamy, introduced the role of trees that support moths and butterflies. They lay their eggs on those trees. Even evergreen trees are important for pollinators, host moths, butterflies, and bees. Evergreen shrubs too! 

• Please don't mow your leaves. Rake them. They are food and shelter for butterflies, bees, moths, and more. Tell friends and neighbors to leave the leaves.

For more information, please visit Bee City USA in Asheville