Lives of Native Bees with Dr. Olivia Carril

Lives of Native Bees: Observing, Understanding, and Conserving New Mexico’s Pollinators
with Dr. Olivia Carril
August 13–14, 2026
New Mexico is home to an extraordinary diversity of native bees—many of which remain largely unseen, despite their essential role in shaping our landscapes and ecosystems. This two-day, field-based seminar offers an introduction to the natural history, diversity, and conservation of these remarkable pollinators.
Designed for beginners and enthusiasts alike, this workshop begins with an introduction to bee natural history and how to find bees on flowers, getting participants moving through the gardens while building observational skills. Using specimens collected in the morning, participants learn how to distinguish bees from similar insects like flies and wasps, followed by a deeper look at bee anatomy under the microscope and an overview of the major groups found in New Mexico. The day concludes with a focused session on bumble bees of the region, tying together identification, ecology, and their role in local ecosystems.
On the second day, participants return to the field for guided observation, learning what to look for when watching bees on flowers and how to interpret their behavior. Hands-on sessions introduce basic specimen preparation and identification of common New Mexico bees, alongside broader discussions of global bee diversity. A garden walk highlights how floral forms shape bee behavior and specialization, and the workshop concludes with a forward-looking conversation on pollinator conservation and the future of bee research in our state.
Throughout the seminar, Dr. Carril will connect observation to broader conservation issues, including pollinator decline, habitat relationships, and opportunities to contribute to community science efforts.
By the end of the seminar, participants will leave with:
-A working understanding of native bee diversity in New Mexico
-Practical skills for observing and recognizing bees in the field
-Insight into how scientists study pollinators
Clear pathways for continued learning and engagement in bee conservation
Dr. Olivia Carril has studied bees for more than 20 years in ecosystems around the world. She earned her B.S. and M.S. from Utah State University and her Ph.D. from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where her research focused on bee diversity, pollinator ecology, and plant–bee relationships. She is coauthor of The Bees in Your Backyard: A Field Guide to North America’s Bees and is currently leading bee surveys in northern New Mexico while working on two new books about bees.