July 21, 2021
Emily O'Neil is the primary staff scientist at The Best Bees Company. Emily works closely with CEO Noah Wilson-Rich to conduct research utilizing the data compiled from Best Bees beehives, searching for answers to big-pictures questions and trends in pollinator health. Emily graduated from Ithaca College in 2021 with a BS in Environmental Science and a minor in Apiology. She was the Head Lab Manager of the Environmental Science and Studies Department, and was the Head Beekeeper of the Ithaca College Apiary. Under Emily's leadership, they had a 100% overwintering rate (all the hives survived the winter). Emily received her Master Beekeeper Certification from Cornell University in the summer of 2022.
Analyzing the results!
Findings: We found that in honeyDNA samples taken before the wildfires in California in 2021, the honey bee colonies were foraging on only 4 different plant species. After the wildfires, honeyDNA indicated that the bees were now foraging on over 21 different species of plants. We believe that this is due to native plants’ abilities to regenerate faster than invasive species of plants after a natural disaster.
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