What are Bumble Bee Atlas Projects?
Our Atlas projects are a community science project aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserving bumble bees. The information that we have suggests that many species of bumble bees face an uncertain future, but we lack the data needed to implement effective conservation measures, especially at the regional scale. "Community science" means anyone is welcome to participate and help contribute to a better understanding of bumble bee needs.
How does the Atlas work?
Community scientists, like yourself, spread out across one of our project states to survey for bumble bees report back whatever they find! To help these efforts, we offer workshops that provide you with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to run surveys independently. Surveys can be run on your own or with a group of people! Survey methods are catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed. All you need to participate is an insect net, some vials, a decent camera (including many cell phones), and access to the internet to submit your data.
To gather this data at the scale we need to inform our conservation work, we will need widespread participation. The success of the Atlas will come from land owners, agencies, scientists and you joining together to understand the needs of bumble bees.
Why focus on bumble bees?
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
North America is home to around 50 different bumble bee species. However, many of our bumble bees are in trouble and face an uncertain future. Several species have been petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act, and many more are recognized in State Wildlife Action Plans as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. A recent study led by the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s Bumble Bee Specialist Group—supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron—and a status review by the late Dr. Robbin Thorp and the Xerces Society, demonstrate that one quarter of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely at fault: habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, low genetic diversity, and the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting and managing existing habitat or creating new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. Understanding what habitats are most important, where to protect them, and where to restore them, are where our Atlas projects will provide essential information.
Why is the Atlas valuable?
Working together, Xerces' scientists, state and federal agency biologists, university scientists, and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of bumble bees! Our teams of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. Additionally, the data will identify regions that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures.
With your help, we can quickly cover the large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our efforts will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations.
Ready to get involved? Find a project in your area!
Our Atlas projects are a community science project aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserving bumble bees. The information that we have suggests that many species of bumble bees face an uncertain future, but we lack the data needed to implement effective conservation measures, especially at the regional scale. "Community science" means anyone is welcome to participate and help contribute to a better understanding of bumble bee needs.
How does the Atlas work?
Community scientists, like yourself, spread out across one of our project states to survey for bumble bees report back whatever they find! To help these efforts, we offer workshops that provide you with all of the necessary skills, knowledge and confidence to run surveys independently. Surveys can be run on your own or with a group of people! Survey methods are catch-and-release, so no bees are harmed. All you need to participate is an insect net, some vials, a decent camera (including many cell phones), and access to the internet to submit your data.
To gather this data at the scale we need to inform our conservation work, we will need widespread participation. The success of the Atlas will come from land owners, agencies, scientists and you joining together to understand the needs of bumble bees.
Why focus on bumble bees?
Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
North America is home to around 50 different bumble bee species. However, many of our bumble bees are in trouble and face an uncertain future. Several species have been petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act, and many more are recognized in State Wildlife Action Plans as Species of Greatest Conservation Need. A recent study led by the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s Bumble Bee Specialist Group—supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron—and a status review by the late Dr. Robbin Thorp and the Xerces Society, demonstrate that one quarter of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely at fault: habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, low genetic diversity, and the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting and managing existing habitat or creating new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. Understanding what habitats are most important, where to protect them, and where to restore them, are where our Atlas projects will provide essential information.
Why is the Atlas valuable?
Working together, Xerces' scientists, state and federal agency biologists, university scientists, and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of bumble bees! Our teams of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. Additionally, the data will identify regions that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures.
With your help, we can quickly cover the large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our efforts will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations.
Ready to get involved? Find a project in your area!