research overview
- Dr. Oliveras’ research focused on bee pollinators. Bees are important pollinators of wild plants as well as economically important crops such as fruits, vegetables, alfalfa, clover, etc. Bee diversity has been declining at an alarming rate, and an understanding of bee species is essential for their conservation and management. Dr. Oliveras has extensive field work experience with bees and flies. In 2009, she published papers on a five-year study of pollinators in natural areas in Boulder County. In 2015, she presented research to the Boulder County Parks and Open Space Advisory Committee on pollinator conservation and agricultural practices in Boulder County Open Space. In 2017, she published research on a five-year monitoring study of bumblebees at three different elevations in Boulder County. In 2019, she volunteered as a science camp counselor for the Circle Program in New Hampshire. In June 2019, she presented a talk on bumblebees to a PEO group. In April 2019, she served as a panelist for the Earth Day Biodiversity presentation. In 2022-2023, she was an organizer on the Regenerative Agriculture session for the Conference on World Affairs. In 2023, she gave a guest talk on pollination at Global Village Academy (Aurora, CO), and she granted an interview on bee pollinators. In June 2024, she co-led a bee pollinator class at the Denver Botanic Gardens in Chatfield. In November 2024, she assisted in a bumblebee presentation (Big Bee Bonanza) at the University of Colorado.