Asters are critical late summer and fall forage for native bees including many pollen-collecting specialists. Heather will explore the nutritional components of the nectar and pollen of asters and their fall-bloooming cousins the goldenrods, and demonstrate the importance of these two groups of plants for native bees as well as migratory pollinating insects such as butterflies.
About Heather Holm
I am a biologist, pollinator conservationist, and award-winning author. In addition to assisting with native bee research projects, I inform and educate audiences nationwide, through my books and many presentations, about the fascinating world of native pollinators and beneficial insects, and the native plant communities that support them. Much of my spare time is spent planning and executing ecological restoration projects, serving on the boards of nonprofits to promote conservation work, and spending a significant amount of time in the field to better understand the natural history and habitat of native bees and wasps, and the complexities of enhancing pollinator habitat using ecological restoration best management practices.