Native Plant Society of Texas – Clear Lake Chapter Monthly Meeting/Program
6:35 Meeting open for socializing
6:45 Business Meeting
6:55 Plant of the Month
7:00 Guest Speaker (counts for AT)
Mark de Kiewiet will talk from his practical research as to how we can address the diminishing bee (and other pollinator) populations, considering both the managed and native bees. He will also draw from work done in the 1970s and the knowledge of some 2,000+ natural beekeepers in the USA. In recent years, Mark has been monitoring the effects of climate (phenology) on both the bees and plants they pollinate. Should we be doing something about this? Combining his Master Naturalist, Master Beekeeper, and native plant knowledge, he has been able to keep the Texas feral bee without the losses reported by others. Mark will cover the Africanization of the bees, gardening for pollinators, some biological wonders of the bee, and medical uses of products from the hive.
About the Speaker
Mark de Kiewiet, a native of South Africa, graduated with engineering and technical management degrees. Although a metallurgist by training, he studied engineering systems and product life cycle issues. His hobbies included hiking, game ranging, and natural beekeeping. He is currently living in Schertz, Texas, with his family.