Mini Bee School HCP Victoria

Have you always wanted to know how to ID the amazing diversity of native bees buzzing around your flowers? Where do they nest, what do they eat, and how can you support them? Join the Native Bee Society of BC's Bee Biology and Identification workshop & field day on June 5-6, 2026.

Day one of this fascinating course will take place in the HCP Pavilion to provide you with identification strategies for common native bees, as well as in depth information on their nesting, overwintering, and flower preferences. Day two, use your identification knowledge as you collect and observe native bees and their plant associations in the native flower fields of Satinflower Nurseries.

This adult workshop is suitable for beginner to intermediate students 17+ and will focus on recognizing common bumble bee species and common solitary bee genera. We will be examining bee specimens using low magnification digital microscopes, focusing on features that can be observed in the field and in photographs.

This workshop will cover:

• How to use digital microscopes and handle specimens

• Bee anatomy, terminology

• Bees Vs Flies Vs Wasps Vs Honeybees

• Practice Identification sessions

• Overview of Bee diversity - families/common genera

• Bumblebee ID

• Biology and ID of short tongue bees

• Biology and ID of long tongue bees

• Habitat enhancement and support for native bees

Date & Location

Friday, June 5, 2026 - 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (includes 1 hour for lunch) Classroom session in the Pavilion at the HCP

Saturday, June 6, 2026 - 10:00 am - 3:00 pm: Field Day at Satinflower Nurseries (details will be provided)

Registration & Tuition

$275.00 Regular/Professional

$250.00 HCP/Native Bee Society of BC Members

$200.00 Registered Secondary/Post Secondary Students

REGISTER ONLINE or call 250-479-6273