Wild Honeybee Blitz at the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve II

Join us for a field day in the oak woodlands of the Galbreath Wildlands Preserve, where we will practice a rare and rewarding craft: tracking wild honeybee trees on foot.

In early spring, before the oaks fully leaf out, the landscape opens up. Sightlines are longer, the light is favorable for observation, and the flights of bees can be easier to notice. This is one of the best windows of the year to locate honeybee trees simply by walking the land, watching carefully, and learning to read subtle cues in the canopy and air. It is a complementary approach to beelining, which we typically use later in the season.

This Blitz also serves a larger purpose. By surveying along familiar trails and through nearby stands of oaks, we can connect previously charted areas, refine our understanding of honeybee nest distribution, and strengthen the Wild Honeybee Atlas work on the ground.

Expect off-trail hiking on uneven ground and slopes, with extended walking across variable terrain while carrying water and basic gear. Additional logistics and preparation notes will be shared after we receive your RSVP.

About the Preserve
The Galbreath Wildlands Preserve is a 3,670-acre nature reserve in Mendocino County, California, roughly 17 miles from the coast. Elevations range from about 900 to 2,200 feet across a mosaic of oak woodland, forest, and grassland habitats. Since 2021, Apis Arborea has identified and monitored nearly 80 wild honeybee nest trees within the preserve, forming one of the most robust place-based wild honeybee study landscapes in the region.