Presented by the National Park Service and Boston Harbor Now, the Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series delves into the harbor’s most intriguing, unconventional, and revolutionary histories. Upcoming lecture topics include Boston Harbor’s Role in the Battle of Bunker Hill (February 27 – Register Here) and Seaweeds of Boston Harbor and Beyond (March 27 – Register Here).
Want to keep celebrating Revolution 250? Register for our Evacuation Day Cruise on March 22!
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz—pun intended—about nature conservation and climate change. One thing that often gets overlooked is the fascinating world of insects and their essential roles in our ecosystems. These tiny critters are vital for everything from pollination to nutrient recycling, yet they don’t always get the spotlight in environmental discussions. To address this, Boston Harbor Now and the National Park Service have teamed up for a special edition of their Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series, focusing on insects.
The host of the event, Boston Harbor Now Program Coordinator Kalimah Mustafa-Widberg, used a combination of photos, fun facts, and witty remarks to guide attendees through a fascinating and unique discussion of how colonialism has impacted insect life—especially on honeybees.
“As someone who has led educational programs about insects for years, I wanted this talk to introduce people to honeybees in a different context,” said Mustafa-Widberg. “Despite being one of the most well-known insects, there are a lot of misconceptions about them. Honeybees are a great entry point to think about how colonialism ecologically impacts our world.”
While honeybees are vital in agricultural pollination, they are just one out of around 20,000 bee species worldwide. In fact, the U.S. is home to about 4,000 native bee species, including groups like squash bees and yellow-faced bees! Other important pollinators, including moths, butterflies, wasps, and beetles, contribute significantly to maintaining biodiversity.
Interestingly, honeybees were actually introduced to the United States by European settlers during the colonial period. Their presence in the modern day highlights how colonialism reshaped the natural landscape, as well as how ecosystems were changed during the expansion of colonizers across the globe.
The event also urged everyone to appreciate the often-overlooked native bee species that are crucial for local biodiversity. Attendees were invited to consider how non-native species like honeybees can sometimes displace native species, leading to long-lasting environmental changes.
As Kalimah put it, “Insects are much more than just pollinators; they are integral to the overall health of ecosystems. Unfortunately, they are also some of the most vulnerable creatures facing challenges from habitat destruction, pesticide use, and climate change. The historical legacies of colonialism, such as land appropriation and resource extraction, have only added to these threats, contributing to the ongoing decline of insect populations worldwide.”
This lecture series served as a timely reminder that our environmental issues are interconnected. The impacts of colonialism are deeply woven into how we think about nature, biodiversity, and conservation today. By looking at the role colonialism played in shaping ecosystems—especially through the lens of honeybees and other pollinators—participants were encouraged to rethink their approach to conservation efforts. It was a chance to reflect on how we can better protect our natural world and all its incredible inhabitants.
Continue celebrating the upcoming 250th Anniversary of the American Revolution:
Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series: Boston Harbor and the Battle of Bunker Hill (Waitlist Open) | February 27, 2025, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm (Register Here)
Revelry and Revolution: An Evacuation Day Harbor Cruise | March 22, 2025, 1:00 pm-3:00 pm (Register Here)
Revolutionary Harbor Lecture Series: Seaweeds of Boston Harbor and Beyond | March 27, 2025, 6:00 pm-7:30 pm (Register Here)
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