Sackville Wild Bees 2023
TEAM MEMBERS
DR. AUSTEN
I am an evolutionary ecologist fascinated by the lives of plants. Being immobile, plants rely on subtle variation among and within individuals to cope with an ever-changing environment. My research examines the origins, maintenance, and consequences of this diversity.
AMANDA
I am Amanda, a 5th year student researching Lysimachia terrestris for a hounors with Dr. Austen. While primarily focusing on my own research, I will also be assisting in lab work and community outreach for our wild bee diversity project. I am excited to work with Sackville's locals to expand our knowledge and understanding of our wild bee population and how to better support our native pollinator biodiversity. My favorite bee is whichever is buzzing closest to me at the time. The bee in the photo to the left is a Nomad Bee (Genus Nomada).
CHLOE
Hi, folks!
I'm an incoming fifth-year student majoring in biology and sociology. This is my first experience working on a research team, so I'm very excited to get out in the field and start surveying wild bee populations! It's additionally exciting that the project is community-oriented because Sackville is a lovely community and it's always wonderful to connect with the locals, especially ones who are also adamant bee enthusiasts! Most of the bee knowledge I've accumulated over the years has been about honey bees, who tend to receive a lot more hype despite being non-native to North America, so I'm looking forward to learning more about the vast array of wild bee species who inhabit this area.
GWEN
I am graduating from Mount Allison University this May with a Biology degree. Last year, I worked in the Austen Lab completing my honours research where I was working on a native plant called Lysimachia terrestris. This summer I am returning to the lab to assist the current students' work on their own projects! I have always been interested in pollinators (specifically moths and butterflies) but last summer I worked in the field where I saw many different types of really cool bees as well. This summer I am excited to see a variety of different wild bees and learn more about native bee species that are in Sackville. My favourite bees are the oil bees (specifically Macropis nuda), a bee that we previously researched in this lab!
JADA
Hi, everyone! I am entering my third year as a biology student at Mount Allison University. Last year, I spent most of my summer working in the Austen lab with bees and other pollinators. I am incredibly excited to be back in the field to help study Sackville's wild bees. I will be visiting community members' gardens to perform bee surveys, as well as working in the lab to help prepare bee specimens. I love bees because of their interesting behaviour and the wide range of variation between genera. One of my favourite things is to watch them and catch them. I'll always make sure to get lots of photos! One of my favourite wild bees is the tri-coloured bumblebee— Bombus ternarius.
LAURENA
Hi! I am entering my third year as a biochemistry major at Mount Allison University. This is my first time working in a research lab, and I am very excited to start field work! This summer I will be surveying bees in community members gardens, as well as working with bees in the lab. I am excited to be working with bees because of
how much variation they have, in their appearance and habits, and I am looking forward to learning more about the local populations. I am very excited to be working with the Sackville community and sharing our research with the community!
LOGAN (he/him)
Hello! I just be graduated from Mount Allison University in May with an Honours degree in Biology and a Minor in Community Engaged Learning. I am originally from Sackville NB and am very interested in conservation projects taking place within our local community. I have been very appreciative of the research opportunities I have had during my time at Mount Allison including work with the R-Peace Learning Centre, ACME Lab and Galápagos Islands Conservation Physiology Field School. I look forward to bringing my passion of plants, the great outdoors, and past research experience to the Bee Team for the Summer of 2023, buzz, buzz! When I am not conducting research, I can be found swimming at Silverlake, biking to the Midgic Airport and running through Waterfowl!
MALACHI
Hello! I am a entering my fourth year at Mount Allison University. I am an Environmental Science student with a minor in Biology. The research that we do this summer will contribute towards my Environmental Science Honours. I am so excited to learn more about native wild bees and what effect human-constructed habitat can have on the bees. I am fascinated by bees and their incredible variety, with 200 wild bee species in New Brunswick. I can’t wait to try and identify as many as I can this summer! I don’t have a favorite bee yet, but I am so excited to start the research and discover my favorite bee!
