Mini Bee School VIU Cowichan

Have you always wanted to know how to ID the amazing diversity of bees buzzing around your flowers? Where do they nest, what do they eat, and how can you support them? Join our Bee Biology and Identification workshop!

This two-day session will start in the classroom to provide you with identification strategies for common native bees, as well as in depth information on their nesting, overwintering, and flower preferences! The following day we will go on a "Bee Quest", exploring local natural areas and observing bees and their habitat in the field.

This workshop is suitable for beginner to intermediate students 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. In the field we will discuss the use of iNaturalist and the NBSBC's BC Bee Atlas as tools for supporting native bees. We will also look for examples of important native bee habitat features and discuss practical habitat conservation measures that community members can take.

Guest Instructor: Jade Lee

Day one of this workshop will be held at the Cowichan campus in room 130.

May 9, 2026  | 9 am to 4:30 pm 

Day two will be at Providence Farm.

May 10, 2026  | 10 am to 3 pm

Fee: $300 + GST  Registration is being handled through our partner on this event Vancouver Island University for this course, click the RSVP button to register or follow this link and you will be redirected to VIU's Agricultural Workshops page. Please scroll down until you find Bee Biology and Identification to complete your registration.