Hello everyone! My name is Olivia Franklin, and I am one of the land stewardship technicians this season. I graduated from Michigan State University (MSU) in 2023 with a B.S. in Environmental Biology/Zoology. Since then, I have worked as an insect research technician at MSU and Michigan Natural Features Inventory (MNFI). Through this work I have surveyed for many insects such as squash bees, bumble bees, butterflies, and moths! My work took me all the way from the Upper Peninsula to Southern Ohio.
Despite where I am now, I did not grow up digging in the dirt and hunting for bugs. I actually used to lie to my teachers in elementary school that I wasn’t allowed to go outside for recess because I was scared of getting stung by wasps. When I went to MSU one of the required classes for my degree was entomology – and my view on insects, and nature in general, was changed forever. The bulk of the grade for that class was based on an insect collection where we had to collect, pin, identify and label our insects. I ended up finding pinning very therapeutic and the identification process really exciting and challenging. I now have a deep appreciation for insects and love watching them and learning about them!
Most of the work I have done has been with bumble bees (genus Bombus), so they have become one of my favorite groups of insects! I’ve had the privilege of finding the state endangered American bumble bee (Bombus pensylvanicus) in Michigan a few times, one that was a new county record. I also came across a frigid bumble bee (Bombus frigidus) and many state special concern yellow bumble bees (Bombus fervidus– my favorite!). Since learning how to identify bumble bees, I can’t help but stop at any flower I find to see who’s there.
Another large portion of my summers was spent doing surveys for the federally endangered Poweshiek skipperling (Oarisma poweshiek). This little butterfly used to be more widespread but is now restricted to just a few locations, one of them being Springfield Township in northwest Oakland County! It was always so exciting to see this special butterfly during their flight period either just fluttering around, foraging, or laying their very small green eggs (and trying to keep an eye on it long enough to flag it).
I am looking forward to a summer of stewardship and giving back to my insect friends. I just moved back to Oakland County after living in East Lansing for 5 years and I’m very happy to be home. Outside of the field I love to try new vegan restaurants, watch reality tv, and spend time with my friends and family (and 6 cats). If you see me out at the parks, please say hello and point out any cool bugs you find!