What is the Bumble Bee Recovery Program? Since the 1990s, bumble bee numbers have been plummeting, and that spells ecological disaster. Ninety per cent of all flowering plants — including most of the fruits and vegetables in your fridge — need these pollinators in order to reproduce.
Until the causes of these declines can be reversed, conservation breeding and reintroduction is the only way to safeguard at-risk bumble bees. Today, WPC is the only organization in Canada rebuilding wild bee populations through conservation breeding. Thanks to recent breakthroughs, we’ve figured out how to dramatically increase the number of queens we produce. Once they’re released into the wild, they can establish their own colonies, producing hundreds of pollinators to sustain the ecosystems around them.
In August of 2024, WPC staff participated in one of the field courses hosted by Field Research in Ecology and Evolution Diversified (FREED) in the breathtaking scenery of Algonquin Provincial Park. FREED provides accessible field opportunities for Black, Indigenous and/or Racialized (BIPOC) students that might not otherwise be afforded these often pivotal experiences in career development.
FREED participants using their buzzworthy bumble bee knowledge to identify bumble bees captured during the workshop. Photo by Michael Alexander.
To help grasp the impact and importance of FREED, we caught up with two of the student participants, Prakrithi and Camilo, two 3rd year undergraduate students from the University of Guelph, who outlined their experiences leading up to and during the Algonquin field course.
Q: What are you currently studying, and what are your career goals?
Camilo: I’m in the Wildlife Biology and Conservation program, and my goal in life is to be able to pursue a job that focuses on the conservation of the beautiful fauna and flora of Canada.
Prakrithi: I am in the Bachelor of One Health program. My academic journey has been rooted in a passion for medical sciences and caregiving, with a particular interest in emergency medicine. Beyond my love for clinical settings, I have a strong enthusiasm for research. Whether it’s analyzing stress-related biomarkers, studying neurogenesis or investigating how biodiversity conservation can mitigate vector-borne diseases like malaria, I find joy in connecting scientific exploration to real-world applications. My academic and career goals align with my desire to impact health care systems and policies, bridging the gap between research and patient care while addressing global health challenges.
Q: How did you learn about FREED?
Camilo: It was mentioned in my second-year ecology class by the professor. I thought it sounded like a good opportunity to meet like-minded individuals that may have faced the same issues I have faced being a racial minority in the field of science.
Prakrithi: I learned about FREED when I took a second-year Ecology course. My professor, who was incredibly passionate about sustainability and conservation, briefly mentioned it in class. That short mention immediately captured my attention—how could it not? The idea of going on a trip with a group of random students with no internet connection sounded like the perfect mix of adventure and learning.
Q: What impact did FREED’s focus on providing experiences to BIPOC students have in your decision to participate?
Camilo: It’s very important to have programs like FREED that focus on the diversification of the field of science, since this field is so competitive and relies so heavily on the experience and connections you have. This field course not only gave me very valuable experiences that I will remember for my entire life, but it also gave me the opportunity to build meaningful connections with professionals.
Prakrithi: FREED’s focus on providing experiences to BIPOC students was pivotal in my decision to participate, and it was a deeply personal decision for me. It felt like a rare acknowledgment of the systemic barriers that students like me face in academia, especially as an international student. At the University of Guelph, for example, there are 60 research positions allocated for domestic students but only 10 for international students which is a disparity that felt both disheartening and motivating. Knowing that FREED was intentionally designed to create opportunities for underrepresented groups made me feel seen and valued in a way I hadn’t experienced before. It wasn’t just about gaining skills; to me it was about stepping into a space where my identity and experiences were recognized as strengths rather than obstacles. I knew that FREED would offer a space to grow both as a researcher and as a person.
Q: What did you hope to gain from participating in FREED’s field course?
Prakrithi: I hoped to gain more than just technical skills and ecological knowledge. I wanted field experience that would strengthen my research profile and open doors to future opportunities. I also looked forward to building meaningful connections with peers and mentors who understood the unique challenges of being a BIPOC student in this field. Most importantly, I hoped to find a sense of belonging – a space where I could grow, contribute, and be inspired by others who share my passion for environmental conservation and my determination to overcome systemic barriers. Additionally, I wanted to heal my relationship with many animal species that are often misunderstood or stigmatized, such as snakes, rodents, and bees. This experience helped me challenge and overcome deeply ingrained taboos, pushing me to recognize the vital roles these species play in ecosystems and to appreciate their inherent value.
Q: What was it like to arrive in Algonquin Park? Was this an all-new experience for you?
Camilo: I have been dreaming about going to Algonquin Park for several years after I learned about it during high school in my Specialist High Skills Major environmental leadership program in which we had planned a two-week long portaging trip. Due to covid I was unable to participate in this trip, but FREED gave me the opportunity to fulfill my dream of seeing the magical setting that is Algonquin. It was even better than I had dreamed of. I especially liked the silence in the forest that allows you to hear all the critters around you.
Prakrithi: Arriving in Algonquin Park was a completely new and transformative experience for me. I had never camped much before, and the prospect of being disconnected from social media felt both daunting and exciting. As we made our way to the Research Station, I was struck by the beauty of the landscape – the endless stretches of forest and the peaceful isolation from the chaos of everyday life. It felt like stepping into a different world, one that demanded stillness and presence. Initially, I felt nervous, but that soon transformed into gratitude as I embraced the experience.
Q: Tell us about the different kinds of activities and experiences you had during the field course. Did any workshop interest you the most?
Camilo: I specifically liked the workshops that taught us about wildlife that is not usually appreciated and understood, like the turtle, bird, bat and pollinator workshops. They taught us about the important ecological roles these species play in their ecosystem and why they are beautiful specimens that should be appreciated.
Prakrithi: The field course offered a variety of workshops and activities that provided hands-on immersion into ecological research. From studying bumble bees and their vital ecological roles to exploring turtles, each activity revealed the intricate connections within nature. Among these, the bumble bee workshop stood out. Although being surrounded by so many bees initially scared me, the kind and supportive instructors helped me feel more at ease. The workshop not only emphasized species identification and the critical role of pollinators but also challenged my preconceptions about insects, fostering a newfound appreciation for their complexity and significance.
Prakrithi and Hazel Wheeler (WPC) transferring a captured bee to a vial for species identification during the bumble bee workshop. Photo by Michael Alexander.
Q: Were there any non-workshop experiences that stood out to you?
Camilo: I loved exploring the forest with other bird enthusiasts, where we would just appreciate the beauty of the park and its wildlife. Going on hikes with my binoculars and observing all sorts of birds I have never seen made me feel like a Pokémon trainer in real life.
Prakrithi: Equally memorable to the workshop experiences were the non-workshop moments that brought us closer as a group. Sharing meals together at the cookhouse, enjoying a dance party before we departed, swimming in the lake, and canoeing during our free time were experiences that deepened our bonds. Walking through the dark forest, nervously imagining bears but feeling secure in nature’s embrace, was an adventure. These moments helped me forge deep connections with my peers.
Q: What was your favorite field observation you made at FREED?
Camilo: The pileated woodpeckers with their impressive size and calls, a beautiful pair of sandhill cranes that are like living dinosaurs, and the eerie yet gorgeous loon.
Prakrithi: One of my favorite field observations was spotting and holding a garter snake! Growing up, I had internalized so many taboos about snakes, but this trip taught me to observe them without fear. Witnessing the grace and purpose of an animal often misunderstood was a humbling experience that deepened my respect for all creatures.
Q: Do you feel as though FREED has prepared you for future educational or employment opportunities in ecological fieldwork? Have your experiences at FREED changed your educational and career aspirations?
Camilo: Yes, it prepared me for the future more than any other field course that I could have taken in university would have. Because of its personable approach to teaching, I always felt encouraged and empowered and all the doubts that I had about pursuing a job in the field of science were erased, thanks to all the magnificent people I met that supported me through the dreamlike time I spent with them. It reinforced that this is really what I want to do and I’m ready to do anything I must to accomplish my dream,
Prakrithi: This experience has undoubtedly prepared me for future educational and employment opportunities in ecological fieldwork. It gave me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone, practical skills in observation and research, and a deeper understanding of ecological systems. It also shifted my aspirations, reaffirming my desire to integrate fieldwork into my career and showing me the value of community and collaboration in research.
Q: Finally, is there anything else you wanted to share regarding FREED 2024?
Camilo: Now that I have gone through FREED, I can’t wait to give back to other BIPOC students in any way possible, to ensure that other young students can have the same wonderful experience I had.
Prakrithi: The leaders, instructors and the whole FREED 2024 team (including our favorite photographer Michael), deserve a special mention. They were absolutely wonderful, loving, and caring. For that week, they became a home away from home—a place that felt so safe and welcoming. They were well prepared for everything that came their way, and even when they admitted there were moments they stumbled, I never once noticed it. Their encouragement, passion, and dedication were unmatched. I have never been around such accomplished yet incredibly humble individuals, and their kindness left a lasting impact on me.
Thank you to Camilo and Prakrithi for sharing your insightful experiences on FREED! To learn more about this incredible grassroots organization, please visit FREED’s website.
Cole’s time with WPC began as a graduate student at the University of Toronto, where he researched harmful parasites in bumble bees (he looked at a LOT of bee poop). He has since played a supporting role as a technician in both the field and in our bumble bee Conservation Breeding Lab. As the Ontario Program Coordinator, Cole hopes to demonstrate to others that any conservation engagement – no matter how big or small – can go a long way.
Hazel has been with Wildlife Preservation Canada since 2013, starting as a contract biologist with the Loggerhead Shrike Recovery Program before stepping in to the role of Lead Biologist. After a decade of shrike, they moved in to the role of Conservation Programs Director, where they oversee all of our recovery programs. Hazel has been working with species-at-risk since the mid-2000s, and has a Master’s degree from Trent University, where they studied the habitat preferences of chimney swifts in Ontario.
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