Have we been thinking about the wrong bees?

Ellie Prickett-Morgan

This story aired in the August 25, 2025 episode of Crosscurrents.

California has 1,600 native bees, and yet we are more likely to hear about their non-native counterpart: the honey bee. But gardeners and researchers alike, in the Bay and across the state, are trying to get the word out about native bees.

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Story Transcript:

HANA BABA: We’re starting today’s show in a backyard in San Leandro. Paula Breen is an avid beekeeper, which is why her yard sounds like this:

Sounds of bees buzzing.

HANA BABA: Actually her yard is a little louder than usual. Instead of her regular three hives, there are 12 here. That’s because spring and early summer is swarming season, when beehives reproduce, and Paula is a first responder for a swarm