About
Sheila R. Colla is an Associate Professor and York Research Chair (Tier 2) in Interdisciplinary Conservation Science at York University's Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change. She holds a PhD in Biology and a BSc Honours in Zoology. Her research focuses on pollinator conservation, endangered species, and community science, with a specialization in bumblebees. She leads the Bee Research Organization BeeC, integrating ecology, art, and pedagogy for sustainable solutions. Key projects include the NSERC Discovery Grant (2016-2022), the Biocultural & Interdisciplinary Approach to Pollinator Conservation (with Lisa Myers), and a national pollinator strategy framework funded by the W. Garfield Weston Foundation.
She co-created BumbleBeeWatch.org and contributed to The Toronto Pollinator Strategy. As North American Coordinator for the IUCN Red List Bumblebee Specialist Group, she bridges science with policy. Awards include the York University Research Leader Award and FES Dean’s Community Engagement Award. She teaches courses on environmental management, policy, and protected areas, emphasizing practical conservation strategies.
Her work engages with NGOs, governments, and communities, exemplified by collaborations with Wildlife Preservation Canada and the Xerces Society. She advocates for inclusive conservation through biocultural knowledge and evidence-based decision-making. Her lab’s research spans ecological studies, citizen science, and stressor mitigation for species survival.
