COLLETES CERAMITATS
More than 70 percent of the world’s bees are solitary and nest in the ground. Native ground nesting bees are superior pollinators to honeybees for many different plants because they co-evolved with the plants they pollinate. Like so many species, ground nesting bee populations are being greatly impacted by climate change, pesticides, and habitat loss. In this research, I worked with biologists from the University of Kansas (KU), Dr. Victor Gonzalez and Dr. Deborah Smith, to design ceramic habitats for the Colletes genus of bees. I utilized a ceramic 3D printer to produce sculptural habitats that protect native bees, preserve their pollinating range, and allow for further research of the species. Currently, there are 7 Ceramitats installed throughout KU’s campus and they are being studied by Dr. Smith and her students.
