In an old cemetery just behind East Hill Plaza, there’s a little known secret buried just a few feet underground. As we speak, they’re sleeping underground by the millions … not zombies, not vampires, but native ground dwelling bees. Cornell researchers believe it’s the largest population of these bees anywhere in the world, showing the role of cemeteries in pollination and biodiversity.

Researcher Jordan Kueneman is one of the scientists who study this population of bees … and why cemeteries, of all places, play such a big role in pollination and biodiversity.

Much of this research also depends on the efforts of citizen scientists across the world observing species and phenomena right in our backyards, examining the role of cemeteries in pollination.

This conversation about native bees and the role of cemeteries in pollination was recorded in early May, just as these bees were entering their most active, above-ground phase. While Kueneman says this particular group has retreated back underground until next spring, you can still get involved here.

Access a time-stamped transcript by clicking the button with three lines on the embedded player. For a full page transcript, click here. The transcript is auto-generated and may contain errors.

Produced and hosted by Megan Zerez. Cover photo by Bryan Danforth/Cornell University.

Read the full article about the role of cemeteries in pollination by Megan Zerez at The Ithaca Voice.