Welcoming Dr. Olivia Messinger Carril to the Vancouver Pollinator Festival - A National Leader in Wild Bee Science Joins Us in 2026
We are thrilled to announce that Dr. Olivia Messinger Carril—one of the most respected wild bee biologists in the country—will be joining us at the Vancouver Pollinator Festival. Her career spans nearly three decades of hands-on research, authorship, education, and fieldwork dedicated to understanding the astounding diversity of native bees across North America.
If you’ve ever picked up The Bees in Your Backyard or referenced The Common Bees of Eastern North America or The Common Bees of Western North America, you’ve already encountered her impact. Dr. Carril’s books have become essential tools for scientists, land managers, community naturalists, and anyone wanting to untangle the rich, often-overlooked world of native bees.
A Scientist Who Goes Where the Bees Are
Dr. Carril has spent her career studying bees in the places most people overlook: remote canyons, desert wildflower patches, alpine meadows, and the edges of small-town landscapes. Her work includes:
Surveying wild bee communities on public lands to build baseline population data—something the scientific community urgently needs as pollinator health continues to shift across regions and climates.
Documenting the pollinators of New Mexico’s rare plants, exploring how specialized bee–plant relationships persist in fragile habitats.
Tracking changes in bee diversity over time, providing insights into how land use, climate, and community stewardship shape pollinator outcomes.
Her fieldwork is gritty, data-rich, and grounded in reality—exactly the kind of science that guides conservation practitioners, restoration managers, and community groups like ours.
An Educator Who Makes Bees Understandable
Despite her deep academic expertise, one of Dr. Carril’s greatest strengths is communication. She has a rare ability to translate complex bee biology into clear, inviting language that empowers beginners and experts alike.
She currently teaches middle school science at the Santa Fe Girls School, where she is shaping the next generation of curious thinkers and conservation-minded leaders. Her teaching reflects a simple truth she carries throughout her work: everyone can learn to see the world through the eyes of a pollinator.
Why Her Presence Matters for Vancouver
Bringing Dr. Carril to the Vancouver Pollinator Festival is more than a program highlight—it’s a milestone for our community. Vancouver is building a robust culture of habitat restoration, citizen science, and pollinator awareness. Having a scientist of her caliber share her experience here sends a clear message:
Our region is becoming a hub for pollinator learning and action.
Festival attendees can expect someone who speaks honestly about the challenges pollinators face but also emphasizes what communities can do—practically, strategically, and at scale—to reverse habitat loss and strengthen biodiversity.
Her work aligns directly with Vancouver Bee Project’s mission: to make pollinator science accessible, actionable, and rooted in place.
Learn More About Her Work
If you’re eager to explore her research or dive deeper into native bee identification, visit her website:
https://www.beesinyourbackyard.com/
Whether you’re a seasoned naturalist, a gardener building your first habitat patch, or a student discovering the wonder of wild bees for the first time, Dr. Carril will bring insights that stick with you long after the festival ends.