The Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas is a community science effort working to track and conserve the native bumble bees of Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota. Community science (aka citizen science) means anyone can get involved in the Atlas and work alongside scientists to gather data on pollinators. Training is provided, both online and in-person, see below for events near you. Learn more about the Atlas here and see what volunteers found during the 2022 field season2!
Upcoming Workshops and Webinars
Bumble Bee Identification for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers
Are you looking for more guidance on identifying bumble bees in your region? We have you covered! We will be holding two online bumble bee identification workshops in early December. During these workshops, we'll go beyond the basics of bee identification that we teach in training workshops, introducing you to some more difficult puzzles in identification, including distinguishing look-alike species pairs, identifying males, and more! These workshops will be a great opportunity to brush up on your ID skills, ask our experts questions, and pick up tips and tricks for taking great photos of bumble bees.
We will be covering species present in the lower Midwest (Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska) during our webinar on December 6th (12 noon - 1:30 pm CT) and species present in the upper Midwest (North Dakota, and South Dakota, Minnesota) during our webinar on December 8th (12 noon -1:30 pm CT).
For more information and registration details, please follow the links below:
Bumble Bee Identification for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers (Lower Midwest), December 6th (12 noon - 1:30 pm CT): Register Here
Bumble Bee Identification for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers (Upper Midwest), December 8th (12 noon - 1:30 pm CT): Register Here
Bumble Bee Identification for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers
Are you looking for more guidance on identifying bumble bees in your region? We have you covered! We will be holding two online bumble bee identification workshops in early December. During these workshops, we'll go beyond the basics of bee identification that we teach in training workshops, introducing you to some more difficult puzzles in identification, including distinguishing look-alike species pairs, identifying males, and more! These workshops will be a great opportunity to brush up on your ID skills, ask our experts questions, and pick up tips and tricks for taking great photos of bumble bees.
We will be covering species present in the lower Midwest (Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska) during our webinar on December 6th (12 noon - 1:30 pm CT) and species present in the upper Midwest (North Dakota, and South Dakota, Minnesota) during our webinar on December 8th (12 noon -1:30 pm CT).
For more information and registration details, please follow the links below:
Bumble Bee Identification for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers (Lower Midwest), December 6th (12 noon - 1:30 pm CT): Register Here
Bumble Bee Identification for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers (Upper Midwest), December 8th (12 noon - 1:30 pm CT): Register Here
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Field Training Each summer we host a series of outdoor field events for participants to gain hands-on experience with the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas. These events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, identify the bumble bees, connect with fellow volunteers, and get any lingering questions answered! Events are open to new and returning volunteers, as well as those interested in learning more about the project. Please review the workshop recording or flip through the participant handbook before attending a field day. Field days are limited to 20 people per event (first-come, first-served basis). Field Trainings are complete for 2023—check back next spring for 2024! |
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Atlas Survey Blitz
These events are targeted survey dates for all Bumble Bee Atlas participants (colored states on map) to work collaboratively! To participate, visit your grid cell on one (or all!) of the listed dates, conduct a survey, and submit your data within 7 days of the Blitz. Following the Blitz, states will be crowned for Most Participants, Most Observations, and Most Surveys. Participation is optional, but encouraged. 2023 Blitz is complete—check back next spring for 2024 dates! |
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