Bees of the Garden State: Conserving Native Bees on Working Lands

Sept. 16, Sept. 23, and Sept. 30

You may have heard that bees need our help, but why should we ‘save the bees’ and what can we do to support these vulnerable and vital pollinators? This three-part webinar will introduce the ecology and diversity of native bees in New Jersey and the Mid-Atlantic, cover their threats and conservation needs, and outline best management practices to support bees and other pollinators conservation on working lands, forests and other landscapes across New Jersey.

Each webinar will consist of a presentation as well as an opportunity for questions. This webinar series will be recorded and available to view on the Xerces Society YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar series.

Session One: Biology & Natural History of New Jersey's Bees

Sept. 16, 2026 - 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Learn who’s who in the native bee world of New Jersey and the mid-Atlantic. We will discuss bee families and their characteristics, provide an introduction to pollinator syndromes and ecology and share information on both common and rare bees.

Session Two: Threats and Conservation Needs of New Jersey's Bees

Sept. 23, 2026 - 7:00 PM Eastern Time

Join us to learn about the threats that are impacting New Jersey’s bee populations. We will outline the causes of bee decline and highlight the conservation status of at-risk bees.

Session Three: Pollinator Habitat Best Management Practices for Farms & Forests

Sept. 30, 2026 - 7:00 PM Eastern Time

We will close out this three-part series with an overview of best management practices for supporting bees on farms and private forestland. Information on federal cost-share programs to support habitat restoration activities will also be discussed.

Speakers

Olivia Matise, Mid-Atlantic Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Xerces Society

Olivia Matise is a Pollinator Conservation Specialist with The Xerces Society, and a Partner Biologist with the USDA NRCS. Located in Central New Jersey, Olivia provides technical assistance for pollinator conservation in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast region. As an NRCS partner, she supports agricultural producers and landowners on the planning and implementation of projects to benefit pollinators and beneficial insects. She is also the co-lead for the Xerces Society Habitat Kit Program in this region. Olivia holds a Master's degree in ecology, evolution and environmental biology from Columbia University, and conducted two research projects on bumble bee behavior and biology during both her undergraduate and graduate degrees. Her previous experience includes an internship with The Bee Conservancy of NYC, and she is passionate about urban ecology, community engagement with conservation, and sustainable farming.

Celia Vuocolo, Stewardship Project Director-Agriculture & Wetlands, New Jersey Audubon

Celia Vuocolo joined New Jersey Audubon in 2023 and is based out of the Wattles Stewardship Center in Port Murray, Warren County. Celia and her team work with private landowners, other nonprofits and government agencies to restore freshwater wetlands and grasslands and promote agricultural best management practices for wildlife across New Jersey. Celia grew up on a rural property in Lebanon Township, Hunterdon County, where her family raised sheep and practiced forestry. Before coming to her current position, Celia lived in Virginia for ten years and worked in roles that advanced wildlife conservation and restoration on private lands with organizations like the Piedmont Environmental Council, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute and Quail Forever and NRCS. She is an alumnus of Delaware Valley University, and Celia and her husband live in Lebanon Township with their two young daughters, their dog and a handful of chickens.

Acknowledgements

These webinars are a collaboration between the Xerces Society and New Jersey Audubon, and is supported by both organizations, as well as the NRCS.

About the Xerces Society

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that protects our world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. Xerces works throughout North America to conserve pollinators and other invertebrates, protect endangered species, and reduce pesticide use and impacts. Our staff use applied research, policy advocacy, public education, and on-the-ground habitat improvement to advance meaningful, long-term conservation. Xerces is the largest invertebrate conservation organization in the world. For over 50 years, we have been champions of Earth’s most biodiverse and overlooked animals, protecting the life that sustains us. Learn more at xerces.org.

Photo Credit(s):

Olivia Matise, Xerces Society