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Attend our October 24th Meeting

Educate
Advocate
Act

Our mission:

Promoting awareness and conservation of Washington’s native bees and other wild pollinators by building community through education, advocacy, and action

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Washington State is a diverse landscape, ranging from coastal rainforests, to mountain meadows, to desert and all things in between. In these ecosystems, over 600 species of native bees are at work, each playing vital roles in the state's intricate ecosystems. At Washington Native Bee Society, we are passionate about bee diversity and are dedicated to safeguarding our state's unique bee populations and their habitats. Through our educational programs and advocacy work, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of preserving these incredible creatures. Our organization is committed to working with all communities to support and promote conservation efforts and create a more bee-friendly state for everyone.

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Upcoming Events

  • Western Washington University Entomology Open House
    Western Washington University Entomology Open House
    Mar 07, 2026, 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
    Biology Building, Biology, Bellingham, WA 98225, USA
    Are you interested in insects or do you work with students and/or community members who may interested in insects? Then the WWU Insect Collection Open House is for you! This is a free event open to the public.
  • Prairie Appreciation Day
    Prairie Appreciation Day
    Sat, May 09
    Glacial Heritage Preserve
    May 09, 2026, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Glacial Heritage Preserve, 15044 Mima Rd SW, Olympia, WA 98512, USA
    Visit Glacial Heritage Preserve, open to the public just one day of the year. A restored prairie, 1,000 acres hosting many rare & declining species of birds, plants, & insects. Features: Hayride around the prairie, children's games, native plant ID workshops, ed. booths, bird walk, 4-mile trail.
  • Building a Bee City: The Vancouver Story
    Building a Bee City: The Vancouver Story
    Feb 26, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PST
    Zoom
    The city of Vancouver, Washington is buzzing with excitement as it joins the vibrant movement of Bee City USA communities committed to safeguarding our pollinators! Join us as Kyle Roslund reveals how city entities united to prioritize pollinator-friendly practices in their decisions and policies.
  • Chanda Bartholomew: The Washington State Bee Checklist
    Chanda Bartholomew: The Washington State Bee Checklist
    Jan 22, 2026, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
    Chanda Bartholomew will discuss the process and the challenges encountered while building the Washington bee checklist.
  • Joe Dlugo: The Eyes of Bees
    Joe Dlugo: The Eyes of Bees
    Dec 11, 2025, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
  • David Cappaert - Bee Glossary: An entrée to the language of bee taxonomy
    David Cappaert - Bee Glossary: An entrée to the language of bee taxonomy
    Oct 23, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
    We will introduce our www guide for decoding the technical language of bee taxonomy. We’ll share why we created it, who it is for, and how you can contribute. We will highlight Amanda Konishi's drawings, which anchor the glossary.
  • The Pollinator Underground: Wild Bees in Unnatural Places
    The Pollinator Underground: Wild Bees in Unnatural Places
    Sep 25, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM
    Zoom
    Bees are a familiar presence in both wild and agricultural landscapes. After spending over a decade looking for bees, Will shares stories about how transitional spaces play an underappreciated role in the persistence of pollinator communities and the bees that live there.
  • SUSTAINamania!
    SUSTAINamania!
    Sat, Sep 20
    Bothell City Hall Plaza
    Sep 20, 2025, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
    Bothell City Hall Plaza, 18415 101st Ave NE, Bothell, WA 98011, USA
    Come and celebrate the 13th annual sustainability festival! Bring your family and friends to learn about everyday sustainable actions you can take at home, work, school, and in the community for lasting change.
  • Magnuson Park native bee walk
    Magnuson Park native bee walk
    Sun, Aug 17
    Magnuson Park, Seattle
    Aug 17, 2025, 9:30 AM – 11:30 AM
    Magnuson Park, Seattle, Magnuson Park P-Patch Parking Lot
    Join the Washington Native Bee Society and the Washington Native Plant Society for a relaxed, beginner-friendly field trip exploring the fascinating relationship between native bees and the plants they pollinate.
  • Peter Abrahamsen: Learn Your Bumbles
    Peter Abrahamsen: Learn Your Bumbles
    Jul 24, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
    Zoom
    Thanks to their size and charisma, Bumble Bees are many people’s “first loves” in the bee world. How can we learn to recognize them in their diversity without getting overwhelmed?
  • Pollinator-Plus Fest
    Pollinator-Plus Fest
    Sat, Jun 28
    Jun 28, 2025, 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
    Seattle, S Dakota St, Seattle, WA 98108, USA
  • Katie Buckley: Gardening for Bees
    Katie Buckley: Gardening for Bees
    Thu, Jun 26
    7:00-9:00 PM on Zoom
    Jun 26, 2025, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM PDT
    7:00-9:00 PM on Zoom
    Combined with a walk through her garden, Katie will talk about plant selection, habitat creation and other considerations when transforming your yard into a pollinator haven.
  • 2nd Annual Vancouver Pollinator Festival
    2nd Annual Vancouver Pollinator Festival
    Jun 21, 2025, 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
    Vancouver, 1069 E McLoughlin Blvd, Vancouver, WA 98663, USA
    Join us at Marshall Park for a vibrant event celebrating the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystems. Includes engaging speakers, interactive activities, vendor booths, guided tours, and even a bioblitz!
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There are 600+ native bee species found in Washington State

Use our online field guide to explore the vast diversity.

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Disappearing species

50% of the 600 bees have not been collected or reported since the 1970s

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Our work

Washington Native Bee Society has been hard at work building a better world for bees in our state. Find out we have achieved, our bold plans, and how you can get involved.

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Build your Washington bee garden

Washington is a diverse land encompassing habitats from rainforest to high desert. Discover how your backyard habitat can be enhanced for bee conservation

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