Bees are essential for global food production and the pollination of wild and cultivated plants, yet their numbers and diversity are declining. This exhibition showcases bee biodiversity through high-resolution images of rare, local bees, many of which can be found on the UCSB campus. A dozen pinned native bee specimens and close-up images offer a unique glimpse into this small yet mighty world.

This exhibit is part of the national Big Bee Project, led by the Cheadle Center and 13 other institutions, focusing on bees' responses to climate change. The photographs were taken by UCSB undergraduate students involved in this research. F

This exhibition is supported by the UCSB Coastal Fund and the California Nature Art Museum.