Ready to get involved?
If you're reading this, it likely means that you understand what we are doing and why, and wondering how you can help. We're glad you're here!
- The first thing to to is to find out if there is an active project in your state/region. You can check by looking at the map on the home page. If there is an active project, the best thing to do is to go directly to that project's pages, and learn how to get involved. Since all projects are in different phases, the ask will differ by state/region.
- If your state does not have a project, you can still contribute! You can submit sightings of bumble bees to Bumble Bee Watch to help scientists track bumble bee observations. If you're interested in helping to launch an atlas in your state, please fill out this form.
General Project Requirements
What You Will Need to Participate:
What is Helpful to Participate:
How to Get Started:
- Time! Surveying takes a time commitment. Each project asks for you to attend a training workshop and then conduct at least two surveys during the sampling window. Sampling windows vary by state, so it best to check your local project. Surveying may be done individually, or with a group of people. If alone, the duration of a single survey is 45 minutes, otherwise your survey time lessens as more people are actively looking for bees (example: 3 surveyors present = 45min/3 = 15min survey time). Select your desired area in the state, or "grid cell," where you'd like to survey for bees.
- Curiosity for Nature! This project will require you to be actively exploring outside, so having an interest in insects and flowers certainly helps!
- Transportation! You will need a way to get to and from your adopted grid cell.
- Camera! Our sampling methods are all catch-and-release as to not harm any bees, and in turn we require high-quality photographs of each collected bee. You may use your smartphone, point-and-shoot camera or any other set up you have.
- Internet! To submit your findings, you will need access to the internet. Your data can be submitted through a computer, tablet or smartphone.
What is Helpful to Participate:
- An insect net and collecting vials
- Basic knowledge of wildflower identification and where to find them!
- Local plant identification field guides, or plant identification mobile apps
- Book: Bumble Bees of North America
How to Get Started:
- Find an Atlas near you, familiarize yourself with the project's protocols and decide if this is a project you'd like to commit to.
- Create a Bumble Bee Watch account, which is a quick and easy process. This is where your bumble bee observations will be stored.
- Adopt a grid cell within your project's state. This is how you register to participate in your local project, and lets us know where within the state you'll be surveying. You may adopt one or more grid cells, and can do so individually or with a group of people.
- Plan and carry out your bumble bee surveys! Refer to your projects to learn when the survey window is.
- Submit your findings to Bumble Bee Watch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are bumble bees and why are you focusing on them?
Bumble bees are native to North America (unlike the European honey bee) and provide essential ecosystem services, such as pollination. There are nearly 50 species of bumble bees in North America, and they're fairly recognizable due to their large size, furry bodies, and black and yellow stripes. Learn more at Bumble Bee Watch.
A recent study led by the IUCN 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 several of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines. Two species, Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini) and the rusty-patched bumble bee (B. affinis), may already be on the brink of extinction.
A recent study led by the IUCN 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 several of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines. Two species, Franklin’s bumble bee (Bombus franklini) and the rusty-patched bumble bee (B. affinis), may already be on the brink of extinction.
what is Community science and why are you using it?
Community science is a collaboration between professional scientists and members of the general public involving the collection and analysis of data relating to the natural world. Community science provides tremendous value to professional scientists, while also engaging enthusiasts in scientific subject matter.
Each of the participating states is large, rural and wild, professional scientists can only reach so many places. With your help, we can quickly and effectively gather scientific quality data and contribute to the global understanding of bumble bees. Training is provided to equip community scientists with the tools and knowledge necessary to participate.
Each of the participating states is large, rural and wild, professional scientists can only reach so many places. With your help, we can quickly and effectively gather scientific quality data and contribute to the global understanding of bumble bees. Training is provided to equip community scientists with the tools and knowledge necessary to participate.
how do i get involved?
- If you are interested in joining the Atlas, navigate to your state under "State Efforts" tab to adopt a grid cell. By adopting a grid cell, you are signing up to:
- Attend one of our training events
- Travel to your adopted grid cell at least twice to survey for bumble bees
- Submit your data online using BumbleBeeWatch.org
- If you are unable to commit to the above, you can still submit observations of bumble bees to BumbleBeeWatch.org. You can share observations from your backyard, where you work, or anywhere in North America.
do i have to survey my entire grid cell?
No, that would be too much to ask as the the grid cells are very large and varied. The idea is that a volunteer will sample AT LEAST one location at two different times during the year - OR - two different locations within their grid at the same time of year. Anything above and beyond that would be great, but is not necessary.
Volunteers can choose to survey anywhere within their grid cell as long as is it public land or they are permitted to access the area.
Volunteers can choose to survey anywhere within their grid cell as long as is it public land or they are permitted to access the area.
is this appropriate for families?
Yes! We think that most anyone can get involved! You need to decide what level of participation is right for your situation, whether you adopt a grid cell and conduct formal bumble bee surveys OR simply contribute incidental bumble bee sightings. Either way you are contributing to pollinator conservation.
can schools and/or classrooms participate?
Sure! We'd love to have the help of schools throughout the region. Teachers or schools may consider adopting the grid cell in which their school resides, or carry out surveys as a field trip. The only challenge is timing- bumble bee surveys take place between June-August in the west, or June-Sept in the Midwest, when most schools are on break.
can my chapter, organization, or agency adopt a block of grid cells?
Absolutely! Many nature centers or agencies adopt one grid cell and create a shared Bumble Bee Watch account to log their effort in one place. For example, Pinery Naturalists and Fremont-Winema Wildlife are active group accounts on Bumble Bee Watch.
If you need further assistance on setting this us, please email us at bumblebees@xerces.org.
If you need further assistance on setting this us, please email us at bumblebees@xerces.org.
will i get stung?
To be honest, you might, but the chances are pretty low. Bumble bees are docile creatures - especially when visiting flowers - and only sting when they feel threatened. You are most likely to get stung if you are trying to capture bumble bees into a vial either from a net, or directly from flowers. But even then, when done calmly and correctly your chances of getting stung are low. This is one of the reasons that we suggest you attend a training. At the training events you'll learn practical techniques and best practices. If you are allergic to bumble bee stings, or suspect that you may be, we recommend that you take necessary safety precautions to protect yourself and consult with a physician- your safety should come first.
where can i donate?
Each of the Xerces-affiliated Bumble Bee Atlas projects are funded through a variety of partners and are unable to accept donations.
You are welcome to support or become a member of The Xerces Society. Founded in 1971, Xerces is celebrating its 50th year as a science-based conservation organization that promotes pollinator health, endangered species conservation, and pesticide-free habitat. The Xerces Society is 501 (c)3 non-profit, your gifts are tax-deductible.
You are welcome to support or become a member of The Xerces Society. Founded in 1971, Xerces is celebrating its 50th year as a science-based conservation organization that promotes pollinator health, endangered species conservation, and pesticide-free habitat. The Xerces Society is 501 (c)3 non-profit, your gifts are tax-deductible.
other questions?
Contact us at bumblebees@xerces.org.
