Ologies with Alie Ward – Indigenous Melittology (NATIVE BEES) with Krystle Hickman

Intro

In this episode of Ologies, host Alie Ward explores the fascinating world of indigenous melittology with Krystle Hickman, a photographer, educator, and conservationist. They discuss the importance of native bees, their habitats, and the challenges they face in today’s world. Hickman recently launched a deck of flashcards all about native bees, which is available for purchase.

Main Takeaways

Indigenous Melittology

• In the US, 18 states have declared the European honeybee as their state insect, despite it not being native to the continent.
• Native bees have been in the US for eons, but none of them are state insects.
• This episode of Ologies focuses on indigenous melittology, the study of native bees.

Krystle Hickman: Advocate for Native Bees

• Krystle Hickman, a photographer, educator, and conservationist, is an advocate for native bees and their habitats.
• Hickman recently launched a deck of flashcards all about native bees, which is available for purchase.

From Art to Native Bees

• Hickman is a native melittologist who loves insects, photography, and art.
• She left her office job to pursue her interests and started drawing portraits of actors from the TV show “Skins”.
• She put a video of her drawings on YouTube and was hired to work on the show.

Flashcards on Native Bees

• The flashcards cover topics such as beehotels, the mustard blight, monocultures, and the tiniest livestock.
• Hickman’s deck of flashcards, “Native Bees of the Western United States, volume one,” is available for purchase.

The Importance of Native Plants

• Native plants are important for pollinators and critter habitats.
• Save the honey bee campaigns in the US are not addressing the biggest issue facing bees: monocultures and habitat loss for all kinds of creatures, including native bees.
• Positive change: some farms in California are starting to farm alongside native ecosystems, encouraging native bees, birds, and butterflies.

Summary

Indigenous Melittology: The Study of Native Bees

In this episode of Ologies, Alie Ward explores indigenous melittology, the study of native bees. Despite native bees being present in the US for centuries, none of them are declared as state insects, unlike the European honeybee. Krystle Hickman, a photographer, educator, and conservationist, is an advocate for native bees and their habitats. She recently launched a deck of flashcards all about native bees, covering various topics such as beehotels, monocultures, and the tiniest livestock.

From Art to Native Bees: Krystle Hickman’s Journey

Krystle Hickman, a native melittologist, shares her journey from leaving her office job to pursuing her passions for insects, photography, and art. Starting with drawing portraits of actors from the TV show “Skins,” Hickman gained recognition for her artistry and was hired to work on the show. Her artwork often features strong messages, and she has gained acclaim in the art world, including a viral time-lapse video of her ballpoint pen portrait of the Black Panther character Challa.

The Importance of Native Plants and Positive Change

Hickman emphasizes the importance of native plants for pollinators and critter habitats. While campaigns to save honey bees often overlook the larger issue of monocultures and habitat loss for all creatures, including native bees, some farms in California are taking positive steps by farming alongside native ecosystems, encouraging the presence of native bees, birds, and butterflies.

Conclusion

Indigenous melittology sheds light on the fascinating world of native bees and their importance in ecosystems. Krystle Hickman’s advocacy and artwork contribute to raising awareness about native bees and their habitats. By supporting initiatives such as Hickman’s deck of flashcards and promoting the planting of native plants, individuals can play a role in preserving these vital pollinators and their ecosystems.