HABITAT FOR BLUE ORCHARD BEE
2012
"TREES: DO NOT DESTROY"
GROUP INVITATIONAL
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM
The conditions: Create an original piece that occupies a 2'x2' space and use recycled wood. (The organizers neglected to specify the 3rd dimension, allowing for vertical expansion!)
Many years before, I had asked our yard crew to save the twisted truck of an drying almond tree, knowing it would be useful. I began to investigate the ecology, economics and politics of almond growing in California and discovered some astonishing facts.
Not the least of these is that the industrial scale of almond production necessitates the importation of truckloads of fatigued European honey bees. Bee experts such as Dr. Frankie have long advocated for the creation of suitable habitat for native bees, including the beautiful and efficient Blue Orchard Bee.
This means leaving "weedy" edges around the orchards.
2012
"TREES: DO NOT DESTROY"
GROUP INVITATIONAL
CONTEMPORARY JEWISH MUSEUM
The conditions: Create an original piece that occupies a 2'x2' space and use recycled wood. (The organizers neglected to specify the 3rd dimension, allowing for vertical expansion!)
Many years before, I had asked our yard crew to save the twisted truck of an drying almond tree, knowing it would be useful. I began to investigate the ecology, economics and politics of almond growing in California and discovered some astonishing facts.
Not the least of these is that the industrial scale of almond production necessitates the importation of truckloads of fatigued European honey bees. Bee experts such as Dr. Frankie have long advocated for the creation of suitable habitat for native bees, including the beautiful and efficient Blue Orchard Bee.
This means leaving "weedy" edges around the orchards.