yes I am an entomologist and I know a lot of you think that strange but I hope
lot of you think that strange but I hope
lot of you think that strange but I hope I’ll convince you by the end of the 15
I’ll convince you by the end of the 15
I’ll convince you by the end of the 15 minutes I’m allotted that insects are
minutes I’m allotted that insects are
minutes I’m allotted that insects are actually the creatures that do run the
actually the creatures that do run the
actually the creatures that do run the world and that are truly truly wonderful
world and that are truly truly wonderful
world and that are truly truly wonderful and all of those 7 billion people we
and all of those 7 billion people we
and all of those 7 billion people we just heard about on this planet their
just heard about on this planet their
just heard about on this planet their lives are touched by insects in many
lives are touched by insects in many
lives are touched by insects in many ways but in a very important way through
ways but in a very important way through
ways but in a very important way through food because all 7 billion people need
food because all 7 billion people need
food because all 7 billion people need to eat and insects are responsible for a
to eat and insects are responsible for a
to eat and insects are responsible for a lot of the pollination of food crops and
lot of the pollination of food crops and
lot of the pollination of food crops and I’ll be going through some of these
I’ll be going through some of these
I’ll be going through some of these examples I think the words from Charles
examples I think the words from Charles
examples I think the words from Charles Dickens are as apt today as ever we do
Dickens are as apt today as ever we do
Dickens are as apt today as ever we do live in the best of times and we’ve seen
live in the best of times and we’ve seen
live in the best of times and we’ve seen some of those best of times in the
some of those best of times in the
some of those best of times in the technology and the healthcare and the
technology and the healthcare and the
technology and the healthcare and the amazing stuff that we learn and know and
amazing stuff that we learn and know and
amazing stuff that we learn and know and explore about our world but we also live
explore about our world but we also live
explore about our world but we also live in the worst of times and we’ve seen
in the worst of times and we’ve seen
in the worst of times and we’ve seen some of that related to destruction of
some of that related to destruction of
some of that related to destruction of the natural environment it truly is a
the natural environment it truly is a
the natural environment it truly is a time of light and it is a time of
time of light and it is a time of
time of light and it is a time of darkness and I’m sorry to tell you that
darkness and I’m sorry to tell you that
darkness and I’m sorry to tell you that for one particular aspect of the
for one particular aspect of the
for one particular aspect of the planet’s life of its biodiversity all
planet’s life of its biodiversity all
planet’s life of its biodiversity all the 1.7 million other species who share
the 1.7 million other species who share
the 1.7 million other species who share our home it really is quite a dark time
our home it really is quite a dark time
our home it really is quite a dark time and we are we are losing species we’re
and we are we are losing species we’re
and we are we are losing species we’re losing habitats we’re losing ecosystems
losing habitats we’re losing ecosystems
losing habitats we’re losing ecosystems and we’re losing the functions that they
and we’re losing the functions that they
and we’re losing the functions that they provide and they support it hasn’t
provide and they support it hasn’t
provide and they support it hasn’t always been this way and here is an
always been this way and here is an
always been this way and here is an example from East Africa that I love to
example from East Africa that I love to
example from East Africa that I love to share because it shows you how
share because it shows you how
share because it shows you how intricately involved we have been as a
intricately involved we have been as a
intricately involved we have been as a species with the world around us now as
species with the world around us now as
species with the world around us now as a scientist I basically study
a scientist I basically study
a scientist I basically study cooperation and mutualism and love and
cooperation and mutualism and love and
cooperation and mutualism and love and this is one of the most interesting
this is one of the most interesting
this is one of the most interesting examples of that you have here a sketch
examples of that you have here a sketch
examples of that you have here a sketch based on an old cave painting from South
based on an old cave painting from South
based on an old cave painting from South Central Africa of early humans
Central Africa of early humans
Central Africa of early humans collecting wild honey now a lot of the
collecting wild honey now a lot of the
collecting wild honey now a lot of the early humans in Africa as well
early humans in Africa as well
early humans in Africa as well as some tribes currently were led to
as some tribes currently were led to
as some tribes currently were led to these wild colonies which can be very
these wild colonies which can be very
these wild colonies which can be very well hidden in trees or in rocks by a
well hidden in trees or in rocks by a
well hidden in trees or in rocks by a bird called the honeyguide and that’s
bird called the honeyguide and that’s
bird called the honeyguide and that’s the honey guide this is a honey guy that
the honey guide this is a honey guy that
the honey guide this is a honey guy that was soliciting me to follow it in
was soliciting me to follow it in
was soliciting me to follow it in Tanzania a few weeks ago and for a long
Tanzania a few weeks ago and for a long
Tanzania a few weeks ago and for a long time we thought this relationship or
time we thought this relationship or
time we thought this relationship or following the honey guide first evolved
following the honey guide first evolved
following the honey guide first evolved between the bird and a and a lovely
between the bird and a and a lovely
between the bird and a and a lovely animal called a honey badger but it
animal called a honey badger but it
animal called a honey badger but it turns out that the relationship actually
turns out that the relationship actually
turns out that the relationship actually first evolved between bird and human and
first evolved between bird and human and
first evolved between bird and human and this has been worked out by scientists
this has been worked out by scientists
this has been worked out by scientists studying the burana people in Kenya and
studying the burana people in Kenya and
studying the burana people in Kenya and the Badger is a parasite of the
the Badger is a parasite of the
the Badger is a parasite of the mutualism that first came around between
mutualism that first came around between
mutualism that first came around between the two of us and bees are incredibly
the two of us and bees are incredibly
the two of us and bees are incredibly important I don’t have to convince you I
important I don’t have to convince you I
important I don’t have to convince you I don’t even have to tell you this because
don’t even have to tell you this because
don’t even have to tell you this because you’ve already heard and seen the crisis
you’ve already heard and seen the crisis
you’ve already heard and seen the crisis around bees in the northern hemisphere
around bees in the northern hemisphere
around bees in the northern hemisphere but something you may not know is that
but something you may not know is that
but something you may not know is that bees honey bees actually originated in
bees honey bees actually originated in
bees honey bees actually originated in East Africa and just like humans
East Africa and just like humans
East Africa and just like humans migrated in waves out of Africa so did
migrated in waves out of Africa so did
migrated in waves out of Africa so did honey bees and the amazing thing with
honey bees and the amazing thing with
honey bees and the amazing thing with honey bees in Africa is this a lot of
honey bees in Africa is this a lot of
honey bees in Africa is this a lot of diversity within African Africa just
diversity within African Africa just
diversity within African Africa just like there’s a lot of human diversity in
like there’s a lot of human diversity in
like there’s a lot of human diversity in Africa so the typical honey bee which is
Africa so the typical honey bee which is
Africa so the typical honey bee which is kept by thousands of communities across
kept by thousands of communities across
kept by thousands of communities across Africa is managed in traditional log
Africa is managed in traditional log
Africa is managed in traditional log hives and this so this elderly gentleman
hives and this so this elderly gentleman
hives and this so this elderly gentleman is a member of them of the Dorobo
is a member of them of the Dorobo
is a member of them of the Dorobo community he lives in the maca Gordo
community he lives in the maca Gordo
community he lives in the maca Gordo forest in central like like Capilla in
forest in central like like Capilla in
forest in central like like Capilla in Kenya and all of his income all of his
Kenya and all of his income all of his
Kenya and all of his income all of his livelihood paying his children school
livelihood paying his children school
livelihood paying his children school fees supporting his family comes from
fees supporting his family comes from
fees supporting his family comes from beekeeping from harvesting and selling
beekeeping from harvesting and selling
beekeeping from harvesting and selling honey and in in East Africa there are
honey and in in East Africa there are
honey and in in East Africa there are two fantastic varieties of honey bee
two fantastic varieties of honey bee
two fantastic varieties of honey bee that we get to work with the lovely
that we get to work with the lovely
that we get to work with the lovely mountain honey bee Monte Kola which is a
mountain honey bee Monte Kola which is a
mountain honey bee Monte Kola which is a very gentle chocolate-colored species
very gentle chocolate-colored species
very gentle chocolate-colored species and produces lots and lots of honey and
and produces lots and lots of honey and
and produces lots and lots of honey and then the savanna or dry land honey bee
then the savanna or dry land honey bee
then the savanna or dry land honey bee scoot alotta which is not so gentle and
scoot alotta which is not so gentle and
scoot alotta which is not so gentle and not so calm but also produces lots of
not so calm but also produces lots of
not so calm but also produces lots of honey and in addition to honey bees
honey and in addition to honey bees
honey and in addition to honey bees another social be that gets managed and
another social be that gets managed and
another social be that gets managed and that always surprises people to learn
that always surprises people to learn
that always surprises people to learn about our sting
about our sting
about our sting space and Maria here is a beekeeper a
space and Maria here is a beekeeper a
space and Maria here is a beekeeper a stingless bee keeper on the slopes of
stingless bee keeper on the slopes of
stingless bee keeper on the slopes of Mount Meru in Tanzania and you can see a
Mount Meru in Tanzania and you can see a
Mount Meru in Tanzania and you can see a view inside the stingless bee hive there
view inside the stingless bee hive there
view inside the stingless bee hive there and stingless behind here are two
and stingless behind here are two
and stingless behind here are two different species of stingless bee honey
different species of stingless bee honey
different species of stingless bee honey a whale a honey and chicory honey which
a whale a honey and chicory honey which
a whale a honey and chicory honey which come from western Kenya is as valuable
come from western Kenya is as valuable
come from western Kenya is as valuable if not more valuable than honey bee
if not more valuable than honey bee
if not more valuable than honey bee honey which all of these different
honey which all of these different
honey which all of these different communities produce bee diversity is a
communities produce bee diversity is a
communities produce bee diversity is a really interesting Cline which is a
really interesting Cline which is a
really interesting Cline which is a trend in terms of populations and
trend in terms of populations and
trend in terms of populations and diversity in that it is that they aren’t
diversity in that it is that they aren’t
diversity in that it is that they aren’t more diverse in tropical rainforests
more diverse in tropical rainforests
more diverse in tropical rainforests they the forests do have a lot of
they the forests do have a lot of
they the forests do have a lot of diversity but interestingly enough it’s
diversity but interestingly enough it’s
diversity but interestingly enough it’s the deserts and the dry lands of the
the deserts and the dry lands of the
the deserts and the dry lands of the world where most of the bees are found
world where most of the bees are found
world where most of the bees are found and you have every kind of relationship
and you have every kind of relationship
and you have every kind of relationship from highly specialized bees like this
from highly specialized bees like this
from highly specialized bees like this beautiful sister Ophir up here that only
beautiful sister Ophir up here that only
beautiful sister Ophir up here that only ever visits one kind of flower and just
ever visits one kind of flower and just
ever visits one kind of flower and just flies for a few weeks a year all the way
flies for a few weeks a year all the way
flies for a few weeks a year all the way through these lovely leaf cutter bees a
through these lovely leaf cutter bees a
through these lovely leaf cutter bees a long tongue a megillah’ bee will meet
long tongue a megillah’ bee will meet
long tongue a megillah’ bee will meet her again in in a few minutes and then
her again in in a few minutes and then
her again in in a few minutes and then or something I wanted to point out these
or something I wanted to point out these
or something I wanted to point out these are all solitary bee species and the
are all solitary bee species and the
are all solitary bee species and the females have nests to go back to at
females have nests to go back to at
females have nests to go back to at night and you already know that honeybee
night and you already know that honeybee
night and you already know that honeybee is I’m sure most of you do that honey
is I’m sure most of you do that honey
is I’m sure most of you do that honey bees it’s all it’s a it’s a feminine
bees it’s all it’s a it’s a feminine
bees it’s all it’s a it’s a feminine monarchy it’s all female-driven they’re
monarchy it’s all female-driven they’re
monarchy it’s all female-driven they’re all all sisters cooperating and working
all all sisters cooperating and working
all all sisters cooperating and working together males don’t do anything and
together males don’t do anything and
together males don’t do anything and with the solitary bees again males don’t
with the solitary bees again males don’t
with the solitary bees again males don’t do anything but they actually have a
do anything but they actually have a
do anything but they actually have a little bit of a tough deal because they
little bit of a tough deal because they
little bit of a tough deal because they don’t have nests to go to at night so
don’t have nests to go to at night so
don’t have nests to go to at night so they have to sleep outside on grasses
they have to sleep outside on grasses
they have to sleep outside on grasses huddling together for warmth and here
huddling together for warmth and here
huddling together for warmth and here are two different species that are sort
are two different species that are sort
are two different species that are sort of snuggling up for the night and
of snuggling up for the night and
of snuggling up for the night and they’re very vulnerable
so I told you a little bit about
so I told you a little bit about stingless bees because a lot of the work
stingless bees because a lot of the work
stingless bees because a lot of the work I’m trying to develop right now is
I’m trying to develop right now is
I’m trying to develop right now is managing and protecting stingless bees
managing and protecting stingless bees
managing and protecting stingless bees and here is Stanley who is a stingless
and here is Stanley who is a stingless
and here is Stanley who is a stingless bee keeper
bee keeper
bee keeper in western Kenya at the cacao mega
in western Kenya at the cacao mega
in western Kenya at the cacao mega forest and he keeps five different
forest and he keeps five different
forest and he keeps five different species of stingless bees those are the
species of stingless bees those are the
species of stingless bees those are the hives over there and he even keeps
hives over there and he even keeps
hives over there and he even keeps species that scientists don’t know about
species that scientists don’t know about
species that scientists don’t know about we don’t know the biology we haven’t
we don’t know the biology we haven’t
we don’t know the biology we haven’t figured out the the nesting
figured out the the nesting
figured out the the nesting and Stanley learnt this from his
and Stanley learnt this from his
and Stanley learnt this from his grandmother but sadly he’s not teaching
grandmother but sadly he’s not teaching
grandmother but sadly he’s not teaching his children and that’s for several
his children and that’s for several
his children and that’s for several reasons one the culture is dying is
reasons one the culture is dying is
reasons one the culture is dying is dying out there’s a lot of change
dying out there’s a lot of change
dying out there’s a lot of change there’s a lot of habitat destruction the
there’s a lot of habitat destruction the
there’s a lot of habitat destruction the bees are not as common the market for
bees are not as common the market for
bees are not as common the market for stingless bee honey comes and goes but
stingless bee honey comes and goes but
stingless bee honey comes and goes but what I wanted to point out with this
what I wanted to point out with this
what I wanted to point out with this example is that as we lose species
example is that as we lose species
example is that as we lose species processes and interactions we also stand
processes and interactions we also stand
processes and interactions we also stand to lose a lot of knowledge because the
to lose a lot of knowledge because the
to lose a lot of knowledge because the entire history of our hollis species has
entire history of our hollis species has
entire history of our hollis species has been entwined with those of so many
been entwined with those of so many
been entwined with those of so many others and if we lose that knowledge
others and if we lose that knowledge
others and if we lose that knowledge it’s just as precious as losing the
it’s just as precious as losing the
it’s just as precious as losing the species or interaction itself now bees
species or interaction itself now bees
species or interaction itself now bees pollinate crops and wild flowers and and
pollinate crops and wild flowers and and
pollinate crops and wild flowers and and a quick question to you how many of you
a quick question to you how many of you
a quick question to you how many of you like coffee chocolate yeah and those are
like coffee chocolate yeah and those are
like coffee chocolate yeah and those are just a couple of examples of two crops
just a couple of examples of two crops
just a couple of examples of two crops that would not exist without the actions
that would not exist without the actions
that would not exist without the actions of pollinators so the value of bees and
of pollinators so the value of bees and
of pollinators so the value of bees and other insects as pollinators is what I’m
other insects as pollinators is what I’m
other insects as pollinators is what I’m really trying to dissect and communicate
really trying to dissect and communicate
really trying to dissect and communicate and about two thirds of the flowering
and about two thirds of the flowering
and about two thirds of the flowering plants on the planet are pollinated by
plants on the planet are pollinated by
plants on the planet are pollinated by insects and one in three bites of food
insects and one in three bites of food
insects and one in three bites of food is directly thanks to the actions of an
is directly thanks to the actions of an
is directly thanks to the actions of an insect pollinator I’m going to take you
insect pollinator I’m going to take you
insect pollinator I’m going to take you on a little trip and we’re going to
on a little trip and we’re going to
on a little trip and we’re going to visit some of the field sites I work at
visit some of the field sites I work at
visit some of the field sites I work at and here you have a map of Kenya oh it’s
and here you have a map of Kenya oh it’s
and here you have a map of Kenya oh it’s been so wonderful is to hear how many
been so wonderful is to hear how many
been so wonderful is to hear how many people have worked in or we are working
people have worked in or we are working
people have worked in or we are working in and and how how connected they are to
in and and how how connected they are to
in and and how how connected they are to Kenya and Kenya has as you all know this
Kenya and Kenya has as you all know this
Kenya and Kenya has as you all know this incredible network of protected areas
incredible network of protected areas
incredible network of protected areas national parks and reserves and you can
national parks and reserves and you can
national parks and reserves and you can see them outlined there in green but the
see them outlined there in green but the
see them outlined there in green but the parks in reserves were set up at a time
parks in reserves were set up at a time
parks in reserves were set up at a time when the priorities for conservation
when the priorities for conservation
when the priorities for conservation were very different 70% of the wildlife
were very different 70% of the wildlife
were very different 70% of the wildlife is outside the national parks and
is outside the national parks and
is outside the national parks and reserves and when we look at the bigger
reserves and when we look at the bigger
reserves and when we look at the bigger picture of biodiversity almost 99% of
picture of biodiversity almost 99% of
picture of biodiversity almost 99% of the endemic species the real real
the endemic species the real real
the endemic species the real real diversity is outside those protected
diversity is outside those protected
diversity is outside those protected areas and right here you can see Tsavo
areas and right here you can see Tsavo
areas and right here you can see Tsavo which is one of the biggest salvo
which is one of the biggest salvo
which is one of the biggest salvo Easton’s of a West combined protected
Easton’s of a West combined protected
Easton’s of a West combined protected area and there’s a gap there and this
area and there’s a gap there and this
area and there’s a gap there and this that gap that wasn’t included in the
that gap that wasn’t included in the
that gap that wasn’t included in the National Park and it’s the tighter hills
National Park and it’s the tighter hills
National Park and it’s the tighter hills and you might think this is a very
and you might think this is a very
and you might think this is a very distant and obscure place but I’ll show
distant and obscure place but I’ll show
distant and obscure place but I’ll show you a connection to it in a second and
you a connection to it in a second and
you a connection to it in a second and what’s interesting if you look at this
what’s interesting if you look at this
what’s interesting if you look at this this is below no Hill the single biggest
this is below no Hill the single biggest
this is below no Hill the single biggest forested fragment that’s left you see
forested fragment that’s left you see
forested fragment that’s left you see this mosaic this little blanket all
this mosaic this little blanket all
this mosaic this little blanket all around each of those dots is a
around each of those dots is a
around each of those dots is a subsistence farmer and I’m working
subsistence farmer and I’m working
subsistence farmer and I’m working primarily with these rural subsistence
primarily with these rural subsistence
primarily with these rural subsistence farmers but on below no Hill there are
farmers but on below no Hill there are
farmers but on below no Hill there are more endemic species and more endangered
more endemic species and more endangered
more endemic species and more endangered species and more vulnerable species than
species and more vulnerable species than
species and more vulnerable species than in the entire 13,000 square miles of
in the entire 13,000 square miles of
in the entire 13,000 square miles of Tsavo and one of those species you know
Tsavo and one of those species you know
Tsavo and one of those species you know very well it’s the African violet and
very well it’s the African violet and
very well it’s the African violet and this picture I took in graduate school
this picture I took in graduate school
this picture I took in graduate school just further north of here in the
just further north of here in the
just further north of here in the People’s Republic of Cambridge
People’s Republic of Cambridge
People’s Republic of Cambridge Massachusetts
Massachusetts
Massachusetts and the florist informed me that she
and the florist informed me that she
and the florist informed me that she sells about $10,000 worth of violets II
sells about $10,000 worth of violets II
sells about $10,000 worth of violets II urn you’ve all seen them in your
urn you’ve all seen them in your
urn you’ve all seen them in your grandmother’s window and hotel lobbies
grandmother’s window and hotel lobbies
grandmother’s window and hotel lobbies but the African violet comes from one of
but the African violet comes from one of
but the African violet comes from one of the global hot spots which is the
the global hot spots which is the
the global hot spots which is the tighter hills and the eastern Arc
tighter hills and the eastern Arc
tighter hills and the eastern Arc forests in Tanzania it was collected by
forests in Tanzania it was collected by
forests in Tanzania it was collected by German nuns in the 1800’s it was taken
German nuns in the 1800’s it was taken
German nuns in the 1800’s it was taken to Germany on 2q and the rest is history
to Germany on 2q and the rest is history
to Germany on 2q and the rest is history it’s a global trade that’s worth a huge
it’s a global trade that’s worth a huge
it’s a global trade that’s worth a huge amount of money but until recently we
amount of money but until recently we
amount of money but until recently we still knew very little about its biology
still knew very little about its biology
still knew very little about its biology in the wild and so some years ago I set
in the wild and so some years ago I set
in the wild and so some years ago I set out to understand what pollinated this
out to understand what pollinated this
out to understand what pollinated this flaunt in the wild and it resulted in a
flaunt in the wild and it resulted in a
flaunt in the wild and it resulted in a in a small paper and the basic mechanism
in a small paper and the basic mechanism
in a small paper and the basic mechanism is really cool so just to frame this
is really cool so just to frame this
is really cool so just to frame this pollinators enable plants to have sex
pollinators enable plants to have sex
pollinators enable plants to have sex and there’s good sex and there’s bad sex
and there’s good sex and there’s bad sex
and there’s good sex and there’s bad sex and good sex for a plant just like for a
and good sex for a plant just like for a
and good sex for a plant just like for a person is sex with a different flower or
person is sex with a different flower or
person is sex with a different flower or different person and bad sex
bad sex is sex with yourself so
bad sex is sex with yourself so pollinators help prevent a very severe
pollinators help prevent a very severe
pollinators help prevent a very severe phenomenon called inbreeding depression
phenomenon called inbreeding depression
phenomenon called inbreeding depression and I’ll talk about made choice and
and I’ll talk about made choice and
and I’ll talk about made choice and stigmas in in a minute but the violet to
stigmas in in a minute but the violet to
stigmas in in a minute but the violet to do to tell you to sum up what was an
do to tell you to sum up what was an
do to tell you to sum up what was an amazing experience is pollinated by this
amazing experience is pollinated by this
amazing experience is pollinated by this fantastically beautiful a megillah’ bee
fantastically beautiful a megillah’ bee
fantastically beautiful a megillah’ bee and it’s a really kinky pollination
and it’s a really kinky pollination
and it’s a really kinky pollination system it’s called buzz pollination
system it’s called buzz pollination
system it’s called buzz pollination where the bee comes up it sizes the
where the bee comes up it sizes the
where the bee comes up it sizes the flowers it understands the hetero
flowers it understands the hetero
flowers it understands the hetero morphic and antio stalee that’s going on
morphic and antio stalee that’s going on
morphic and antio stalee that’s going on over here I can tell you more about that
over here I can tell you more about that
over here I can tell you more about that later privately if you’re interested and
later privately if you’re interested and
later privately if you’re interested and then it grabs the flower it folds its
then it grabs the flower it folds its
then it grabs the flower it folds its wings back and at the Freak buzzes it at
wings back and at the Freak buzzes it at
wings back and at the Freak buzzes it at a frequency it vibrates it between 11
a frequency it vibrates it between 11
a frequency it vibrates it between 11 and 12 Hertz only then is pollen
and 12 Hertz only then is pollen
and 12 Hertz only then is pollen released and you have the production of
released and you have the production of
released and you have the production of the seed pod and this simple intimate
the seed pod and this simple intimate
the seed pod and this simple intimate fun process is what allows hundreds of
fun process is what allows hundreds of
fun process is what allows hundreds of thousands of plant species to persist in
thousands of plant species to persist in
thousands of plant species to persist in ecosystems and to contribute to
ecosystems and to contribute to
ecosystems and to contribute to ecosystems throughout the world just a
ecosystems throughout the world just a
ecosystems throughout the world just a little aside here nature Kenya the
little aside here nature Kenya the
little aside here nature Kenya the organization I work for as as I chair
organization I work for as as I chair
organization I work for as as I chair the insect committee celebrated its
the insect committee celebrated its
the insect committee celebrated its centennial a couple of years ago and as
centennial a couple of years ago and as
centennial a couple of years ago and as part of that the government honored us
part of that the government honored us
part of that the government honored us with a set of stamps and one of the
with a set of stamps and one of the
with a set of stamps and one of the species they asked us to depict was the
species they asked us to depict was the
species they asked us to depict was the bee and the African violet and I
bee and the African violet and I
bee and the African violet and I actually did the illustrations for the
actually did the illustrations for the
actually did the illustrations for the stamp so that was also a great honor and
stamp so that was also a great honor and
stamp so that was also a great honor and here we are launching the stamps with
here we are launching the stamps with
here we are launching the stamps with one of the longest-serving members of
one of the longest-serving members of
one of the longest-serving members of nature Kenya flown Ueno who has
nature Kenya flown Ueno who has
nature Kenya flown Ueno who has selflessly led the bird walks for over
selflessly led the bird walks for over
selflessly led the bird walks for over 40 years and typifies the kind of person
40 years and typifies the kind of person
40 years and typifies the kind of person that is part of the society as and the
that is part of the society as and the
that is part of the society as and the Acting Postmaster General because the
Acting Postmaster General because the
Acting Postmaster General because the actual Postmaster General had just been
actual Postmaster General had just been
actual Postmaster General had just been summoned by the International Criminal
summoned by the International Criminal
summoned by the International Criminal Court in The Hague
so we’re now going to go to where where
so we’re now going to go to where where I grew up the carrier Valley in western
I grew up the carrier Valley in western
I grew up the carrier Valley in western Kenya and this is this is absolutely one
Kenya and this is this is absolutely one
Kenya and this is this is absolutely one of my most favorite places in the world
of my most favorite places in the world
of my most favorite places in the world it isn’t very visited by tourists or or
it isn’t very visited by tourists or or
it isn’t very visited by tourists or or scientists even but it’s this phenomenal
scientists even but it’s this phenomenal
scientists even but it’s this phenomenal extension of the Great Rift Valley and
extension of the Great Rift Valley and
extension of the Great Rift Valley and extends all the way up into the wilds of
extends all the way up into the wilds of
extends all the way up into the wilds of northern Kenya and all the way to Lake
northern Kenya and all the way to Lake
northern Kenya and all the way to Lake Turkana and South Sudan it is an
Turkana and South Sudan it is an
Turkana and South Sudan it is an incredibly diverse and lovely place to
incredibly diverse and lovely place to
incredibly diverse and lovely place to explore and one of the crops there that
explore and one of the crops there that
explore and one of the crops there that is grown along streams that come off the
is grown along streams that come off the
is grown along streams that come off the mountains is papaya and papaya is a
mountains is papaya and papaya is a
mountains is papaya and papaya is a really interesting example because you
really interesting example because you
really interesting example because you have separate male and female flowers on
have separate male and female flowers on
have separate male and female flowers on separate male and female trees which
separate male and female trees which
separate male and female trees which means that a pollinator has to come
means that a pollinator has to come
means that a pollinator has to come along go to the male flower take the
along go to the male flower take the
along go to the male flower take the pollen over to the female flower
pollen over to the female flower
pollen over to the female flower fertilize it and then you get the fruit
fertilize it and then you get the fruit
fertilize it and then you get the fruit and this service is provided by in this
and this service is provided by in this
and this service is provided by in this site five different species of
site five different species of
site five different species of incredibly beautiful Hawk moths who fly
incredibly beautiful Hawk moths who fly
incredibly beautiful Hawk moths who fly at dusk for 4:30 for 15 minutes and
at dusk for 4:30 for 15 minutes and
at dusk for 4:30 for 15 minutes and pollinate those flowers and they lay
pollinate those flowers and they lay
pollinate those flowers and they lay their eggs in the in the area
their eggs in the in the area
their eggs in the in the area surrounding the farms and without them
surrounding the farms and without them
surrounding the farms and without them we do experiments with the farmers you
we do experiments with the farmers you
we do experiments with the farmers you have no proper pollination of fruit
have no proper pollination of fruit
have no proper pollination of fruit another example that is from this area
another example that is from this area
another example that is from this area is mango that is grown and I just wanted
is mango that is grown and I just wanted
is mango that is grown and I just wanted to put this in to show that in some
to put this in to show that in some
to put this in to show that in some species it’s a very wide diversity of
species it’s a very wide diversity of
species it’s a very wide diversity of pollinators that come and visit the
pollinators that come and visit the
pollinators that come and visit the flowers you’ve got flies you’ve got ants
flowers you’ve got flies you’ve got ants
flowers you’ve got flies you’ve got ants you’ve got wasps and this is also an
you’ve got wasps and this is also an
you’ve got wasps and this is also an example of the power of communication in
example of the power of communication in
example of the power of communication in today’s world because I blogged about
today’s world because I blogged about
today’s world because I blogged about this pollination site on Peters farm
this pollination site on Peters farm
this pollination site on Peters farm where he grows five different varieties
where he grows five different varieties
where he grows five different varieties of mango I on my blog on wildlife direct
of mango I on my blog on wildlife direct
of mango I on my blog on wildlife direct and within 24 hours I had comments from
and within 24 hours I had comments from
and within 24 hours I had comments from India Pakistan Ghana the United States
India Pakistan Ghana the United States
India Pakistan Ghana the United States and Rome and farmers in India were able
and Rome and farmers in India were able
and Rome and farmers in India were able to use the blog to compare it to their
to use the blog to compare it to their
to use the blog to compare it to their pollinators as was the farmer in Ghana
pollinators as was the farmer in Ghana
pollinators as was the farmer in Ghana in the US scientists identified the wasp
in the US scientists identified the wasp
in the US scientists identified the wasp as a very important parasitic species of
as a very important parasitic species of
as a very important parasitic species of ants and the FAO the agricultural
ants and the FAO the agricultural
ants and the FAO the agricultural organization of the UN in Rome was so
organization of the UN in Rome was so
organization of the UN in Rome was so thrilled about all of this they chose
thrilled about all of this they chose
thrilled about all of this they chose this site as one of their model
this site as one of their model
this site as one of their model pollinator sites
pollinator sites
pollinator sites so basically pollination services I
so basically pollination services I
so basically pollination services I don’t have to convince you I hope by now
don’t have to convince you I hope by now
don’t have to convince you I hope by now are driven by this wonderful diversity
are driven by this wonderful diversity
are driven by this wonderful diversity and my work increasingly is
and my work increasingly is
and my work increasingly is communicating that with farmers and the
communicating that with farmers and the
communicating that with farmers and the next clip I’ll show you very quickly is
next clip I’ll show you very quickly is
next clip I’ll show you very quickly is a farm in western Kenya where Lucy Maria
a farm in western Kenya where Lucy Maria
a farm in western Kenya where Lucy Maria can tell you for herself okay so we are
can tell you for herself okay so we are
can tell you for herself okay so we are here in the Nandi Hills and we’re at the
here in the Nandi Hills and we’re at the
here in the Nandi Hills and we’re at the farm of Lucy and surrounded by beautiful
farm of Lucy and surrounded by beautiful
farm of Lucy and surrounded by beautiful bees and all kinds of different crop
bees and all kinds of different crop
bees and all kinds of different crop means accordion Kikuyu or sabe in
means accordion Kikuyu or sabe in
means accordion Kikuyu or sabe in cucumber and committee so this is a crop
cucumber and committee so this is a crop
cucumber and committee so this is a crop that very much depends on pollinators
that very much depends on pollinators
that very much depends on pollinators and up here you can see one of the bees
and up here you can see one of the bees
and up here you can see one of the bees that’s resting but it has been
that’s resting but it has been
that’s resting but it has been pollinating the flowers so without this
pollinating the flowers so without this
pollinating the flowers so without this pollinator there would be no enjoy I’ve
pollinator there would be no enjoy I’ve
pollinator there would be no enjoy I’ve seen the other bit of my life which
seen the other bit of my life which
seen the other bit of my life which almost the life of my garden which I’ve
almost the life of my garden which I’ve
almost the life of my garden which I’ve never seen and never really got so much
never seen and never really got so much
never seen and never really got so much interest on it pollination I never knew
interest on it pollination I never knew
interest on it pollination I never knew that pollinators are very important
that pollinators are very important
that pollinators are very important there are so many of them so different
there are so many of them so different
there are so many of them so different today I’ve learnt that there are so many
today I’ve learnt that there are so many
today I’ve learnt that there are so many types of bees I only thought there’s
types of bees I only thought there’s
types of bees I only thought there’s only one I don’t miss and to have found
only one I don’t miss and to have found
only one I don’t miss and to have found out that there are several kinds of
out that there are several kinds of
out that there are several kinds of users it’s so amazing it’s amazing thank
users it’s so amazing it’s amazing thank
users it’s so amazing it’s amazing thank you thank you and we found at least 10
you thank you and we found at least 10
you thank you and we found at least 10 different types of bees just here no
different types of bees just here no
different types of bees just here no sham
sham
sham so they’re actually five different kinds
so they’re actually five different kinds
so they’re actually five different kinds of beasts so far that I’ve seen outside
of beasts so far that I’ve seen outside
of beasts so far that I’ve seen outside the National Geographic Society so the
the National Geographic Society so the
the National Geographic Society so the you don’t have to go to remote places to
you don’t have to go to remote places to
you don’t have to go to remote places to find this diversity among I’m almost
find this diversity among I’m almost
find this diversity among I’m almost ending here and I just wanted to show
ending here and I just wanted to show
ending here and I just wanted to show you a couple more slides and and this is
you a couple more slides and and this is
you a couple more slides and and this is a community of children so a lot of my
a community of children so a lot of my
a community of children so a lot of my work involves working with children and
work involves working with children and
work involves working with children and schools and I’m really trying to connect
schools and I’m really trying to connect
schools and I’m really trying to connect you know being an entomologist and
you know being an entomologist and
you know being an entomologist and pinning lots of insects and drawers and
pinning lots of insects and drawers and
pinning lots of insects and drawers and and looking at their genitalia and and
and looking at their genitalia and and
and looking at their genitalia and and other details closely with actual
other details closely with actual
other details closely with actual livelihood so this is null array which
livelihood so this is null array which
livelihood so this is null array which is in Samburu in northern Kenyan and
is in Samburu in northern Kenyan and
is in Samburu in northern Kenyan and when you look at those children and and
when you look at those children and and
when you look at those children and and many people would say they look you know
many people would say they look you know
many people would say they look you know they’re in a remote area they’re poor
they’re in a remote area they’re poor
they’re in a remote area they’re poor and disadvantaged but when I look at
and disadvantaged but when I look at
and disadvantaged but when I look at these children I see something else
these children I see something else
these children I see something else because what we found were 30 different
because what we found were 30 different
because what we found were 30 different species of bee on this occasion at biker
species of bee on this occasion at biker
species of bee on this occasion at biker tree during their lunch break and I’ve
tree during their lunch break and I’ve
tree during their lunch break and I’ve collected from the totalus trees which
collected from the totalus trees which
collected from the totalus trees which are back here where their classrooms are
are back here where their classrooms are
are back here where their classrooms are 400 different species of bee so I look
400 different species of bee so I look
400 different species of bee so I look at these kids and see them as rich
at these kids and see them as rich
at these kids and see them as rich because they are rich in bees and they
because they are rich in bees and they
because they are rich in bees and they are rich in an environment that is that
are rich in an environment that is that
are rich in an environment that is that is full of life and full of amazing
is full of life and full of amazing
is full of life and full of amazing discoveries that they can make and
discoveries that they can make and
discoveries that they can make and control and participate in and love and
control and participate in and love and
control and participate in and love and enjoy and I’m doing that with students
enjoy and I’m doing that with students
enjoy and I’m doing that with students from many different backgrounds both
from many different backgrounds both
from many different backgrounds both University students these are Georgetown
University students these are Georgetown
University students these are Georgetown students that I taught and I played a
students that I taught and I played a
students that I taught and I played a mean trick on that is actually a
mean trick on that is actually a
mean trick on that is actually a crocodile lying down there that they
crocodile lying down there that they
crocodile lying down there that they didn’t notice
and and guides across East Africa these
and and guides across East Africa these are two guides from the Serengeti and
are two guides from the Serengeti and
are two guides from the Serengeti and students this is a school who rumah
students this is a school who rumah
students this is a school who rumah school which is a secondary school on in
school which is a secondary school on in
school which is a secondary school on in a slum in Nairobi and they are next to a
a slum in Nairobi and they are next to a
a slum in Nairobi and they are next to a very large diverse forest but they’d
very large diverse forest but they’d
very large diverse forest but they’d actually never been into it so really
actually never been into it so really
actually never been into it so really sharing sharing that joy sharing that
sharing sharing that joy sharing that
sharing sharing that joy sharing that Wonder is what I’m trying to do and and
Wonder is what I’m trying to do and and
Wonder is what I’m trying to do and and very quickly I have so many people I
very quickly I have so many people I
very quickly I have so many people I need to thank so many friends and family
need to thank so many friends and family
need to thank so many friends and family I won’t even begin to explain who’s who
I won’t even begin to explain who’s who
I won’t even begin to explain who’s who but particularly this journey hasn’t
but particularly this journey hasn’t
but particularly this journey hasn’t been easy to get where I am and to have
been easy to get where I am and to have
been easy to get where I am and to have gone to Harvard but my foster parents
gone to Harvard but my foster parents
gone to Harvard but my foster parents and here we on Christmas morning woke up
and here we on Christmas morning woke up
and here we on Christmas morning woke up at 6 a.m. to go hiking in the rainforest
at 6 a.m. to go hiking in the rainforest
at 6 a.m. to go hiking in the rainforest in the mud looking for the blue headed
in the mud looking for the blue headed
in the mud looking for the blue headed bee-eater and the black and white cast
bee-eater and the black and white cast
bee-eater and the black and white cast hornbill I’ve had the mentorship and
hornbill I’ve had the mentorship and
hornbill I’ve had the mentorship and guidance of unbelievable heroes and
guidance of unbelievable heroes and
guidance of unbelievable heroes and Friends everyone from dr. Leakey
Friends everyone from dr. Leakey
Friends everyone from dr. Leakey professor Wilson and to my PhD committee
professor Wilson and to my PhD committee
professor Wilson and to my PhD committee but most of all I want to thank a friend
but most of all I want to thank a friend
but most of all I want to thank a friend who was the most tireless loving
who was the most tireless loving
who was the most tireless loving faithful kind and patient companion I’ve
faithful kind and patient companion I’ve
faithful kind and patient companion I’ve ever had and that was my dog doll and I
ever had and that was my dog doll and I
ever had and that was my dog doll and I have one request to leave you with if
have one request to leave you with if
have one request to leave you with if you can spend just five minutes a day in
you can spend just five minutes a day in
you can spend just five minutes a day in the company of an insect your life will
the company of an insect your life will
the company of an insect your life will never be the same
never be the same
never be the same thank you
”
Be First to Comment