Welcome to the Online Training Portal! Below you will find a downloadable zip file that contains PDF's of the participant handbook, regional bumble bee identification guides, and data sheets. After downloading, right click on the file to "unzip" the folder. Then, using the materials inside, work your way through the series of video modules to prepare yourself for the upcoming survey season.
Start by accessing the training packet:
Begin video training:
Part One:
Bumble Bee Biology, Ecology, Conservation Status and an Introduction to the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas
Recorded Live on 18 May 2022
Bumble Bee Biology, Ecology, Conservation Status and an Introduction to the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas
Recorded Live on 18 May 2022
Part Two:
How to Participate in the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas and Identify Regional Bumble Bees
Recorded Live on 19 May 2022
How to Participate in the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas and Identify Regional Bumble Bees
Recorded Live on 19 May 2022
How to Conduct a Survey and Photograph Bumble Bees (included in Part Two)
Recorded April 2020
While this video only mentions the PNW and Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas projects, it is still relevant to the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas which did not exist at the time of recording. Please note that the data sheets have changed since the recording of this video.
Recorded April 2020
While this video only mentions the PNW and Nebraska Bumble Bee Atlas projects, it is still relevant to the Great Plains Bumble Bee Atlas which did not exist at the time of recording. Please note that the data sheets have changed since the recording of this video.
Test Your Knowledge (optional):
Quiz 1: Bumble Bee Anatomy
Quiz 2: Bumble Bee Caste System (Queens, Workers and Males)
Quiz 3: Bumble Bee Identification
Quiz 2: Bumble Bee Caste System (Queens, Workers and Males)
Quiz 3: Bumble Bee Identification
For more videos on the Bumble Bee Atlas, or pollinators in general, visit and subscribe to the Xerces Society YouTube channel!
