BC Native Bee Course 2024

The Native Bee Society of BC is hosting the BC Native Bee Course and Field Trips in Penticton and Oliver this June.

The lab component will take place over 3 days: June 19th- 21st, with 15 spots available. Field trips will occur over the weekend of June 22-23rd, and will also be open to those who are not in the lab component.

Location: The lab component of each course will take place at Okanagan College in Penticton, BC, and the field component will be hosted at Sawmill Lake in Oliver, BC.

Course Fees: The fee for the course is $600. We offer a $50 discount to NBSBC members. The weekend field session costs $100, and is free for participants of the Master Melittologist  program.

A limited number of scholarships will be available to participants with demonstrated financial need. If you would like to request a scholarship, please share your reasoning and how much you are requesting to bcnativebees@gmail.com.

Syllabus: The course syllabus can be found here.

Tickets: Remaining spots are being sold on a first come - first served basis. Please purchase the appropriate ticket. Additional tickets will be made available if currently registered participants cancel their spots, please join the waitlist here.

Course Instructors

Lincoln Best - Lead Instructor

• Lincoln leads the Oregon Bee Atlas  and Master Melittologist programs in the faculty of Horticulture and  through Extension at Oregon State University. He hosts an annual BC  Native Bee Course in the southern Okanagan, Canada's bee biodiversity  hotspot.

Bonnie Zand - Co-Instructor

• Bonnie is based out of the Comox  Valley, on Vancouver Island. She works in the intersections of  pollinators and agriculture, running an IPM consulting company, Bonnie’s  Bugs IPM, and leading the Vancouver Island Pests, Pollinators and Beneficials Project. Bonnie is the BC instructor for the Master Melittoligst program. Bonnie also contributes to pollinator conservation through outreach to garden clubs, bee clubs, and school groups, as well  as through her work with the endangered Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly.

Accommodations: A rustic group campsite is available to participants in the lab and field sessions, and their families. The site is suitable for tenting, or for small trailers that can be parked on grass - no gravel or paved parking spaces. The site has potable water, porta-potties, tables, and an electrical outlet for device charging. The campsite is located in the Kaleden area, and has 4 lakes within a 1-5 minute drive for fishing, swimming, kayaking and paddleboarding. There are numerous hiking opportunities. Twin Lakes Golf Course is 1 minute away. Also, 1 minute away is Twin lakes store, offering baked goods, great coffee, an ice cream bar, liquor and all the essentials. 15 minutes to Penticton, 10 minutes to Kaleden, and 15 minutes to Keremeos.

No pets, no fires.

The site is available from June 18th to 24th.

Camping per night: $35 / tent, $10 / second person, $5 per kid

A fee reduction if available for those in need, email bcnativebees@gmail.com.

Cancellation & Refund Policy: To cancel, please email us at bcnativebees@gmail.com with an email titled "Bee School Cancellation - [First and Last Name]".

• Cancellations prior to May 19, 2024 will receive a full refund, less a $50 administration fee.
• Cancellations between May 19 and June 10, 2024 will be offered a refund (less the $50 administration fee) only in cases where we are able to confirm a wait listed participant to fill your spot.
• Refunds will not be administered following June 10, 2024