Krystle Hickman
We’re pleased to begin working with National Geographic Explorer and native bee expert, Krystle Hickman, on her forthcoming book, The ABCs of California’s Native Bees, by Heyday Books.
Krystle Hickman is a conservation photographer, National Geographic Explorer, TEDx speaker, community scientist, native bee educator, and artist based in Los Angeles, California.
With a passion for nature and an eye for artful photography, Hickman strives to elevate awareness surrounding the decline of native bee species while shedding light on their intricate and biodiverse ecosystems. Her work has garnered recognition and found a place in publications such as The LA Times, various magazines, children’s books, and scientific journals.
Hickman’s commitment to conservation takes her across the globe, documenting rare native bees without resorting to any form of lethal collecting. Her dedication to preserving these important pollinators is also reflected in her powerful storytelling narratives coupled with her beautiful photos.
Hickman’s influence extends beyond the lens, as she has graced multiple television and online broadcasts, been interviewed on podcasts like Ologies, presented at the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), and lectured at colleges such as Harvard, UC Irvine, UCLA, CSU Channel Islands, ArtCenter College of Design, and more.
In 2023, Hickman launched a comprehensive set of flash cards, showcasing 42 of the most commonly encountered native bee species in the western United States. The success of this venture was evident, with the flash cards selling out twice and becoming widely available at numerous retail locations and on Amazon.
Krystle Hickman’s unwavering dedication to conservation, coupled with her artistic prowess, not only captivates audiences but also serves as a catalyst for positive change, leaving an indelible mark on the world of environmental advocacy.
Journey through the world of California native bees, one letter at a time.
National Geographic Explorer Krystle Hickman has spent a decade capturing exquisitely detailed photographs of native bees and making exciting discoveries about their behavior in the field. In her debut book of natural history, she offers an intimate look at the daily habits of rare and overlooked native bees in California: those cloaked in green or black or red, that live alone in the ground or sleep inside flowers, that invade nests and pillage resources like infinitesimal conquerors, or that, unlike more generalist honeybees, are devoted exclusively to the pollen of a single type of flower. A committed conservationist and community scientist who knows all too well how precarious the wellbeing of these insects is, Hickman shares her adventures in local native plant gardens and throughout the far reaches of California to bring the beauty of such diverse ecosystems into wondrous bee’s-eye view. Meant for all curious readers, this collection of bee stories—one for each letter of the alphabet, matching the first letter of a bee’s scientific name—will leave you both wowed and compelled to help save these fascinating beings and the lands they call home.
Stay tuned for updates!
