Tiny Bees, Big Threat: Photographer Fights for Native Pollinators

Krystle Hickman, a photographer with no formal science background, has become a vital community scientist documenting North America's native bees. Many of these species are under severe threat due to climate change and habitat loss, exacerbated by the invasive honey bee. Hickman has captured images of over 300 native bee species, contributing significantly to scientific understanding.

Her work highlights the critical importance of native bees, stating that their survival is intrinsically linked to the health of entire ecosystems. Hickman's approach prioritizes observing live bees rather than traditional specimen collection, leading to unique behavioral discoveries and potentially identifying previously undescribed species.

Hickman is particularly focused on finding critically endangered species like Franklin's bumblebee, last seen in 2006. She collaborates with universities and research institutions, advocating for the protection of these vital pollinators and their habitats, emphasizing their intrinsic right to exist.