The Bee's Knees

What happens if the essential work of Europe’s wild pollinators suddenly disappears? Dr. Arndt Feuerbacher joins us to share insights from his study on how wild bees underpin Europe’s agricultural stability and what their decline could mean for food security around the world. We dig into what needs to change, why managed bees can’t fill the gap, and how local actions can add up to real impact.

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This World Bee Day, discover the gentle ground‑nesting bees powering our ecosystems. Dr. Jordan Kueneman explains how the GNBee project uses community science to map their nests and how you can get involved.

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As cities grow, wild bees are finding surprising ways to cope with urban life. In this episode, Dr. Min Tang joins us to explore how a bee’s gut microbiome can reveal what’s really happening in our city environments, from floral diversity to pollution and hidden pathogens.

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How can creativity, collaboration, and ecological know‑how turn even the most unlikely landscapes into thriving habitats for pollinators and people? We visit Indian Lake, New York, where a capped landfill is being transformed into a vibrant pollinator meadow. Kristina Hartzell and Kailey Maher from ADKAction share how this innovative project began, what they’re learning from early test plots, and why native plants are key to restoring biodiversity on disturbed land. We also explore the role of community partners—from local schools to volunteers—in bringing this once‑forgotten space back to life.

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We head to the quiet Mediterranean island of Giannutri, where researchers ran a rare experiment to understand how managed honey bee colonies affect wild bees. By temporarily closing the island’s honey bee hives, they watched nectar and pollen levels rebound almost immediately—giving wild bees the chance to take the lead in the pollination network. Dr. Lorenzo Pasquali shares the story from Giannutri which raises important questions about how we manage honey bees in sensitive landscapes if we want both wild and managed pollinators to thrive.

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Small steps can reshape entire landscapes. In this episode, we feature RePollinate, a Scottish charity mobilizing communities and businesses to safeguard the UK’s pollinators. Nick Trull walks us through the charity’s hands‑on projects that breathe new life into underused spaces and help biodiversity flourish.

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Think pesticide assessments protect wild bees? Think again. Dr. Sabrina Rondeau uncovers how soil pesticide exposure threatens ground‑nesting bees; risks overlooked by current regulations that focus only on honey bees. Her research reveals why we need stronger frameworks that reflect real‑world conditions to safeguard pollinators and protect biodiversity.

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Today’s episode takes us to the Brazilian savanna — for a bit of capybara spotting, but for a surprising discovery along the roadside. Dr. Monize Altomare’s recent study shows that even narrow strips of vegetation beside highways can support rich pollination systems and help major crops like coffee and soybeans thrive. If you’ve ever wondered how small spaces can make a big ecological impact, this one’s for you.

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What does your daily AI query have to do with bees? We explore the hidden connections between digital growth and ecological resilience with Dr. Rob Nicholls. His research found fractional warming from AI‑driven data centers translates into real risks for pollinators—from stingless bee colony collapse to carpenter bee habitat loss. Listen to learn how your digital footprint impacts the natural world.

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Season 4 of The Bee’s Knees buzzes in this February with a new call to action: Bee a Hero. This season dives into the surprising ways native bees connect to our lives—from the hidden impacts of technology and pesticides to the hopeful stories of restoration and resilience. We bring together scientists, conservationists, and everyday advocates to share discoveries that spark change and inspire care. Listen in and discover how small actions can make a big difference for pollinators everywhere.

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