Rich Hatfield

I am interested in pollination ecology and the conservation of native bees. Bees provide an essential ecosystem service, which helps to provide one of out every three bites of food that we ingest. But, as demand for pollinators increases in our agricultural systems, habitat alteration, pesticides, and introduced diseases are wreaking havoc on populations of native bees. This could have far ranging consequences on global biodiversity, as well as threaten human food security. I am interested in using research to as a tool to guide restoration, and creation of pollinator habitat in agricultural, urban, suburban, and wildlands habitat. To help drive this work, alongside several partners, I've spearheaded bumble bee atlas projects all over the United States. These efforts, run through the Xerces Society, have engaged thousands of volunteers and gathered tens of thousands of bumble bee observations all over North America. Learn more at: BumbleBeeAtlas.org.

When not working, I can be found exploring and photographing the trails and mountains of the Pacific Northwest while skiing, running, cycling, and backpacking. Increasingly, I am also experiencing nature through the eyes of my children. I also enjoy growing, cooking and sharing food with my family and friends.