There are over 500 species of bees in Oregon, 250 of which can be found in the Willamette valley. You can help count them at the first annual community bee count being held in Eugene Saturday, July 15.
The event is organized by Beyond Toxics and the Walama Restoration Project with help from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Beyond Toxics' Krystal Abrams says the bee count is just the first of what will hopefully be a growing series of bee-related community events in Eugene.
“Ultimately we would like to have a city-wide bee count where everybody walks around their own neighborhoods and collects bees,” says Abrams. “But for our first year we really want to get everybody together to learn about how to collect good data.”
Beyond Toxic’s goal is for Eugene to join Ashland in the Bee City U.S.A. program, which helps cities create sustainable habitats for pollinators. The bee count will take place at Alton Baker Park, with data sheets, clipboards and pens provided.
To learn more, visit Beyond Toxics'event page.