A Year with Mason Bees: Harvesting, Washing, and Storing

East Multnomah Soil & Water Conservation District is excited to partner with Portland Fruit Tree Project to present A Year with Mason Bees: Harvesting, Washing, and Storing workshop!

Join us to learn how to harvest, wash, and store mason bee cocoons at the end of the nesting season. We’ll walk through the process together and share tips for caring for your mason bees so they’re healthy and ready for the next spring.

Participants are encouraged to bring their nesting tubes, where there will be dedicated time to collectively harvest and process them together. All materials needed for washing and storing the cocoons will be provided.

Don’t have mason bee cocoons of your own to bring? You’re still welcome to participate! We’ll have nesting tubs available, and participants can learn the process by helping to clean bee tubes from local community gardens.

About Mason Bees:

Mason bees are a type of solitary bee—and part of a much larger group that makes up about 90% of the world’s more than 20,000 bee species. These gentle, low-maintenance pollinators are becoming a popular choice for backyard habitats.

Unlike honeybees, solitary bees live and work alone. They don’t produce honey or live in hives. Instead, each female builds her own nest, gathers pollen and nectar to feed her young, and lays her own eggs.

Despite their small size, mason bees are incredibly effective pollinators and play a vital role in supporting healthy gardens and ecosystems.

About Portland Fruit Tree Project:

Our mission is to increase equitable access to healthful food and strengthen communities by empowering neighbors to share in the harvest and care of city-grown produce.

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Language

The workshop will be delivered in English.

Cost

Free

Registration closes when the event is sold out or 24 hours before the workshop begins.

Accessibility Notes

• Water: Water is provided; however, we recommend participants bringing a reusable water bottle to reduce single use plastic.
• Interaction level: Medium. This is a presentation-style workshop with a presenter sharing the majority of the information. However, there are opportunities for participants to ask questions throughout the presentation and to collectively harvest and process together.
• Children: Children are welcome to come to this workshop. There is a play space if younger children need a break.
• Snacks: Light snacks are available, including gluten-free and vegan options.

If you need any additional accommodations to fully participate in our programs, please email Cat (cat@emswcd.org). To better serve you, six (6) business days prior to the event is preferred.