Bees in the Woods
ANREP Gold Award Winner - TV/Video
Lauren Grand, Oregon State University; Brad Withrow-Robinson, Oregon State University (retired); Jacob Putney, Oregon State University; Stephen Fitzgerald, Oregon State University; Hayley Brazier, High Desert Museum; Pat McAbery, Sight and Sound Services
Oregon's forests are home to more than 600 species of native bees, playing a vital role in pollination and biodiversity. The "Bees in the Woods" video series was developed to bridge the knowledge gap between forest management and pollinator conservation. This engaging, 15-video series provides forest owners and managers with practical, research-backed strategies to recognize, protect, and enhance bee habitat within working forests.
Research has shown that early seral forests—those regenerating after a timber harvest or wildfire—are particularly beneficial to pollinators, offering abundant floral and nesting resources. The series outlines valuable strategies to support these habitat features even if early seral forest habitat is not present on the property. The videos cover topics such as creating pollinator habitats in unexpected places, enhancing habitat through timber harvest and prescribed fire, using targeted herbicide treatments to support pollinators, and integrating conservation into routine forestry practices. By addressing these topics, the series empowers landowners to implement pollinator-friendly practices without compromising their other forest management goals.
A comprehensive needs assessment involving 327 landowners and managers guided the development of the series. Participants were strongly interested in learning about pollinator habitat and practical conservation strategies that could be incorporated into their management activities. They showed less interest in bee identification and anatomy, so these topics were left out of the series because they are covered in other OSU Extension curricula. The needs assessment also highlighted a desire for accessible, visual learning tools, reinforcing the decision to create a video-based resource. The series was designed with these results in mind to create content that is directly relevant to small forest landowner and manager interests and operational realities.
Since its release, "Bees in the Woods" has received over 2,000 views and has been featured in educational materials like the Bees in Managed Forests publication by the Oregon Forest Resources Institute and the Bee Stewards online curriculum. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with viewers appreciating the real-world examples and high-quality visuals. Comments from users include: "Make more ecosystem videos!" and "I consistently give out these videos to beginners learning about bee habitat. They are a great resource!" Notably, there has been no negative feedback, underscoring the series' effectiveness and relevance.
With stunning close-ups and drone footage, clear narration, and concise topics, the series translates complex ecological concepts into actionable knowledge. By providing a fresh perspective on pollinator conservation in managed forests, "Bees in the Woods" has made a significant impact on landowners, conservationists, and forestry professionals alike, inspiring them to take action for the preservation of native bees.
Link to Video Series
Link to YouTube playlist
