Beekeeping Today Podcast - Presented by Betterbee
June 17, 2019

Pollinator Week: Pollinator Partnership - Kelly Rourke & Vicki Wojcik - (027)

is the organization responsible for bringing us Pollinator Week, so it is only fitting "P2" leads off our special week of podcasts! In 2007, Congress unanimously declared a week of June as National Pollinator Week. Pollinator Week has now grown into a...

Pollinator Partnership is the organization responsible for bringing us Pollinator Week, so it is only fitting "P2" leads off our special week of podcasts!

In 2007, Congress unanimously declared a week of June as National Pollinator Week. Pollinator Week has now grown into a international celebration of the invaluable ecosystem services provided by bees, birds, butterflies, bats and beetles.

In this 2019 Pollinator Week kickoff podcast, we've invited Kelly and Vicki on the show to discuss four of their 30+ programs to pollinators and pollinator habitats, including:

  • Pollinator Week
  • Mite-athon
  • NAPPC Honey Bee Health Grants
  • Bee Friendly Farming

Kelly is the Director of Programs and Operations and responsible forPollinator Week, North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), and P2 grants and scholarships. Kelly received her Masters of Science in Environmental Management form the University of San Francisco.

Vicki is the Research Director for P2 Canada. She holds a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Policy & Management where her graduate studies focused on understanding how native bees use gardens and habitats in cities. As Director she oversees P2 Canada’s research programs, keeping on top of new and emerging pollinator issues and managing a program set that includes pollinator habitat conservation and landscape management assessments; understanding and enhancing Vickiagroecosystems; landuse and pesticide policy review; support for threatened and critical species; and ecosystem service assessments.

Websites mention in the podcast include:

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This episode is brought to you by Global Patties! Global Patties is a family business that manufactures protein supplement patties for honey bees. Feeding your hives protein supplement patties will help ensure that they produce strong and health colonies by increasing brood production and overall honey flow. Global offers a variety of standard patties, as well as custom patties to meet your specific needs. Visit them today at http://globalpatties.com and let them know you appreciate them sponsoring this show with Kelly and Vicki!

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We hope you enjoy this podcast and welcome your questions and comments: questions@beekeepingtodaypodcast.com

Thanks to Bee Culture, the Magazine of American Beekeeping, for their support of The Beekeeping Today Podcast. Available in print and digital at www.beeculture.com

 Thank you for listening! 

Podcast music: Young Presidents, "Be Strong"

Kelly BillsProfile Photo

Kelly Bills

Executive Director - Pollinator Partnership (P2)

Kelly Bills (formerly Kelly Rourke) is Executive Director of Pollinator Partnership and has been dedicated to pollinator conservation for over 8 years. Her focus is on large-scale habitat projects, plant-pollinator interactions, and agricultural and industry engagement.

Kelly holds an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and a minor in Anthropology from the University of California at Santa Cruz. She has also received a Master’s of Science in Environmental Management (Ecology Concentration) from the University of San Francisco.

Her background in ecology, conservation, and culture has propelled her career in the non-profit sector. Prior to Pollinator Partnership (P2), Kelly worked at another bay area-based environmental non-profit called Conservacion Patagonica (CP). Kelly manages the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign (NAPPC), National Pollinator Week, www.pollinator.org, and pollinator grants and scholarships. Kelly serves on the Board of Directors of Pollinator Partnership Canada, the Advisory Committee of the Monarch Joint Venture, and the Steering Committee for PlantAgents.