In 2025, The Vermont Center for Ecostudies launched a new monitoring project to explore the ecology of wild bee populations on commercial farms. Funded by the Vermont Department of Agriculture and led by staff biologists Ryan Rebozo and Spencer Hardy, this project aims to uncover which bee species are supported by specific crops throughout the seasons, which non crop plant species are being visited by bees, and if bees are exposed to pesticides.
Our Scope
Bee Hotel on Howling Wolf Farm
With support from Laura Johnson at UVM Extension, we coordinated with various farms around the state, focusing on apple, blueberry, soy, mixed vegetable, and livestock farms. This monitoring will use bee hotels to identify cavity nesting bees, a group of bees we hope to learn more about and have the potential to manage for. During the growing season, our technicians will also catalog any bees that may be pollinating out in the open near the crops by conducting Pollard Walks.
A Pollard Walk is a survey technique where observers slowly walk along mapped transects, recording all pollinators seen within a 5-by-5 meter box in front of them. This standardized approach helps ensure accurate and consistent data across different locations and times.
Ryan Rebozo Installing Bee Hotel on Howling Wolf Farm
By the end of the project, we hope to have a clearer picture of the diversity and abundance of wild bees on Vermont farms — and how we can better support these vital pollinators.
