Mark Winston discusses his book, Bee Time: Lessons from the Hive, at Common Good Books bookstore, in St. Paul, at 7 p.m., on August 1.

Winston is academic director of the Centre for Dialogue at Simon Fraser University and a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences. He reflects on three decades spent studying bees and the lessons they can teach about how humans might better interact with one another and the natural world.

Bee populations are diminishing due to human impact, and we cannot afford to ignore what the demise of bees tells us about our own tenuous place in the world. Toxic interactions between pesticides and bee diseases have been particularly harmful, foreshadowing similar effects of pesticides on human health.

The event is co-sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Bee Squad (BeeLab.umn.edu), committed to bringing back a bee-friendly world by educating, training, and assisting people engaged in helping bees thrive. By promoting awareness about the critical contribution of pollinators to nutritious foods and a green environment, the squad helps people make choices that are good for the bees and ultimately good for us all.

Cost: Free. (Book $24.95). Location: 38 S. Snelling Ave., St Paul. More information on the reading can be found at CommonGoodBooks.com. More information about the author can be found at WinstonHive.com.