Outreach

Here you can find information about our past and upcoming outreach events. Be sure to check out our Videos page for an outreach video and research talks by Johanne.

Our lab is dedicated to engaging with the public on issues related to the importance of pollinators in agriculture and food security, and pollinator health. We focus our efforts on developing active dialogue with members of the community to not only communicate our research, but to also hear their questions and concerns. In addition, we strive to incorporate engaging activities to get children excited about pollinators. Through this process we hope to enhance pollinator conservation efforts through mutual understanding and appreciation.

WMARS Open House - Annually since 2014

At the West Madison Agricultural Research Station Open House (WMARS), we present some fun and exciting facts, displays, and games about identifying bees. Folks in the greater Madison area come out to learn about the different agricultural research going on at WMARS, which includes our bees! This event provides an opportunity for local homeowners and others interested in the goings-on of the research station an opportunity to learn and ask questions about our science. Below are some photos of the 2019 event, including hover flies, bees, and some of the educational materials we bring along to this event.

 

Darwin Day - Annually since 2014

In addition to engaging the public on the importance and implementation of bee conservation measures, we provide an opportunity to learn and understand the evolution of plant-pollinator systems. This exciting event provides an opportunity to combine evolutionary time scales with current conservation measures.

 

 

Wisconsin Science Festival - Annually since 2013

At this event we engage in dialogue with members of the community to discuss ways they can contribute to pollinator conservation. This includes the identification of bee pollinators, creating and maintaining nesting sites and foraging resources for bees, and answering specific questions from community members.

Urban Horticulture Day - Anually since 2011

Similar structure to that at the Wisconsin Science Festival. We seek to open dialogue with members of the community about the importance of bee pollinators, and provide resources to help people contribute to conserving bee populations.

Science Expeditions - Annually since 2011

This event takes place later in the summer, thereby providing the community an opportunity to engage with fruit and crop specialists. Having our pollinator booth at this event provides a unique opportunity to engage the community on issues related to bee conservation in a setting where people can see first hand the results of bee pollination. 

Expanding Your Horizons Conference - 2015

This is a one-day conference held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison for around 400 middle school aged (6-8th grade) girls from south-central Wisconsin. As part of a small group, each girl attends three career sessions as well as the opening session and closing activity. At this event we have a pollination booth where we discuss careers in Entomology/Evolutionary biology with the students.

Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) Seminar Series- 2010 and 2015

The Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) residential learning community is a stimulating environment, where motivated women interested in science, technology, engineering, or math make strong academic and personal connections with each other as well as UW-Madison staff and faculty who share their interests. Dr. Brunet will be attending a dinner to talk with the WISE resident and answer their questions about careers in science. 

Garden Expo - 2012

This event is a great place to talk about bee pollinators, their ecology, and how people can incorporate essential foraging resources and nesting habitat into their gardens.