Abby’s Co-op work term at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada in the summer of 2024 inspired her to continue working with pollinators in her upper years at Acadia. She is currently working on an Honours project in Dr. Zoe Panchen’s plant ecology lab to understand the plant foraging preferences of pollinators. Abby is observing pollinator foraging patterns on native plant species, as well as analyzing pollen samples collected from bees that visit the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens. 

Abby reflects: “Many Nova Scotians are unaware of the richness and diversity within the local bee community. The bee walks hosted at the Harriet Irving Botanical gardens offer a unique opportunity for everyone to familiarize themselves with the pollinators and plants that occupy their neighborhood!”

Tedi’s introduction to the world of bees started in the winter of 2025. Her Co-op work term at Agriculture and Agri-food Canada connected her with other bee enthusiasts, and the team is now collaborating on pollinator outreach with the Harriet Irving Botanical Gardens.  She is excited for the opportunity to extend her bee knowledge outside of the lab and into the field! 

Tedi shares “ It is amazing how much your appreciation for something grows when you learn a little more about it. When people are more informed about native bee life, they are more likely to strive to protect it. That’s why events like these bee walks are so valuable, they offer a fun environment to learn something new about the place you live in, and they start up important conversations in the community.” 

Amanda completed a Co-op work term at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in the summer of 2024. Learning about the importance of bees in ecosystems and how to identify them sparked Amanda’s love of bees. They are currently completing an Honours project investigating the presence of microplastics in bee populations across landscapes with varying levels of human influence. 

Amanda says: “If I was asked a few years ago to pick out a bee from a lineup, I would have only picked out a bumble bee. I might have been able to pick out a honey bee, but likely would have hesitated, second guessing if it might be a wasp. Working with native bees, I learned about the rich diversity we have right here in Nova Scotia! I hope our bee walks get people interested in the importance of these native pollinators in our communities, and how looking at things just a little closer can reveal a lot about an environment.”