Conservancy Blog

Conservancy Blog

The Importance of Native Bees in Pennsylvania

When most people think of bees, the image that comes to mind is likely the European honeybee (Apis mellifera). But while honeybees are crucial pollinators and support agriculture globally, they are not native to North America. In Pennsylvania alone, over 400 species of native bees quietly work behind the scenes, doing their part in maintaining the health of local ecosystems, supporting agriculture, and preserving biodiversity through providing the critical ecological service of pollination. Understanding the importance of native bees in our state is crucial, especially as they face mounting threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, and competition from non-native species.
Continue Reading

Invasive Species Spotlight: Chocolate Vine

Chocolate vine (Akebia quinata), also known as five-leaf chocolate vine or five-leaf akebia, is a vigorous, invasive perennial vine. Originally from eastern Asia, it was introduced to the United States as an ornamental plant in 1845. This invasive can grow up to 40 feet in a single...

Continue Reading

Lawn Mowing for Birds, Bugs and Bees

Americans maintain roughly 40 million acres of lawns, making them the largest irrigated crop in the U.S. While lawns may seem harmless, they offer little benefit to wildlife, especially bees, as they lack floral resources and nesting sites, plus they require significant resources including time,...

Continue Reading

What's in a Name? An Introduction to Using Scientific Names

One of the quickest ways to disengage someone trying to learn local flora and fauna is to use the Latin scientific name when naming a species. However, it is a fundamental starting point when learning a new species, as common names can vary by country and can also be used to refer to more than...

Continue Reading