Victory Gardens for Bees

Sunday, February 15, 2026

Botanical Blues: Eco-explorations with cyanotype prints

 


I am so excited to share I'll be showing a collection of my art at Wayside Books in Osoyoos in March 2026. The opening will be on March 6, from 4-7 pm during the First Friday celebration of the arts in Osoyoos. I'll also be selling my book, the revised edition of Victory Gardens for Bees, photo cards and "menditation" hearts. I hope to see you at the opening!


As a self-confessed “bee nerd” and advocate for protecting native bees, I have a deep love of the plants that provide pollinators with food and nesting resources. In recent years, I have been exploring the art of creating cyanotypes (aka “sun prints”) that reveal the delicate outlines and textures of pressed plant specimens. As an eco-feminist, I am also passionate about using materials collected at thrift shops to recycle and turn into textile art. You might even find something you donated to a local shop made into something new and funky.












Saturday, September 13, 2025

Wednesday, September 3, 2025

Merritt and Vancouver Bound!

 Looking forward to meeting some wonderful beeple in Merritt on Saturday: https://tnrl.libcal.com/event/3930622

Special thanks to the library staff and the Nicola Naturalist's Club! 

 I'll be giving a talk at the library Saturday, Sept 6 at 11 am and then after the presentation we'll head to the local pollinator garden to to a walk through.  https://www.rotarymerritt.com/our-projects/pollinator-garden/

 

I'm also heading to City Farmer in Vancouver in October. I love that garden and the staff so much!


 

 

Thursday, August 28, 2025

I'm heading to Word on the Street in Lethbridge!

Looking forward to seeing you in Lethbridge!

 


 

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Bees, Butterflies and Botany: You're Invited to a Talk on Zoom on July 9, 2025

 

 

I'm excited to announce this talk on Zoom as the kick-off to a project funded by a BC Parks Spark Grant with essential support from the Native Bee Society of BC. I will provide you with the tools to be a citizen science hero that makes BC a healthy place for bees, butterflies and birds. By studying flowers that bees visit for food and nesting, we can learn more about the seasonal life cycles of the plants that supply nectar and pollen to our precious pollinators. The scientific name for this study is “phenology” (or what we like to call “fun-ology”).  We will have a handout you can print and the slides will be available for you to download after the talk.

 

And a special thanks to Jade Lee at the Natve Bee Society of BC for her lovely design work on all these posters. Jade is a talented master melittologist, photographer and designer! 

 

Schedule:

 

Bees, Butterflies and Botany: How you can help BC bees

 

All talks and walks are free and family friendly!

 

 

Talks: Join award-winning author and educator Lori Weidenhammer, aka Madame Beespeaker, as she gives you the tools to be a citizen science hero that makes BC a healthy place for bees, butterflies and birds. By studying flowers that bees visit for food and nesting, we can learn more about the seasonal life cycles of the plants that supply nectar and pollen to our precious pollinators. The scientific name for this study is “phenology” (or what we like to call “fun-ology”). Lori will supply you with handouts to help you recognize and record these beautiful flowers and make notes on where and when you saw them. It’s a fun way to spend time in nature and help make the world a better place for bees.

 

 

Walks: Join author and educator Lori Weidenhammer, aka Madame Beespeaker, as she leads a guided walk and shows you how to make observations on the life cycles of bees and plants and become a citizen science hero.

 

Please dress for the weather, rain or shine and bring your camera and/or cell phone.

 

 

Talk:  Clearwater Library: 209 Dutch Lake Road

 11am on Saturday, July 12

 

Walk: Wells Gray Provincial Park

Sunday, July 13 1-3 PM

Meeting place: Ray Farm/Alice Lake trailhead

 

Talk: Kamloops Public Library, 100 - 465 Victoria St

Monday July 14, 2 pm

 

Walk: Lac Du Bois Grasslands Protected Area 

 Tuesday, July 15, 1 pm

Meeting place: Park near the cattle guard at the entrance of Lac Dubois Grasslands Protected Area and we will carpool to the trail.

 

Walk Shuswap Lake PP Walk: July 17, 1 pm

Meeting place: the Nature House

 

Talk: Kootenay Family Place, Castlegar

 Friday Aug 8, 10 am

 

Walk: Syringa Provincial Park

Saturday Aug 9, 1 pm. 

Meet at the Butterfly Garden

 

Talk: Rock Creek Riverside Centre,

Friday Aug 15, 1 pm

 

Walk: Kettle River Recreation Area

Saturday Aug 16, 1 pm

Meeting place: tba