Before you adopt a grid cell, please make sure that you have registered for the project on Bumble Bee Watch
Step 1: Make Your Choice
Phase II of the Bumble Bee Atlas is here. We've now opened up almost the entire region as a priority for survey (with a few exceptions due to land ownership status). We're also introducing High Potential Zones (HPZs). Within these polygons, we believe you'll have the best opportunity to detect one of our Species of Greatest Conservation Need, so that we can learn more about their status and habitat needs. Adoption will still take place at the "Grid Level", but we ask that, if possible, you focus your survey efforts within HPZs. Look over the map below, and decide where you'd like to contribute. Record the grid cell number of the cell you'd like to adopt and enter it in the form below the map (Step 2). You can alter which layers are visible by clicking on the three layer icon to the left of the map. You can also change the basemap (to aerial photography, etc.) by clicking on the four square icon above that.
Please note that grids can include both public and private land and Xerces’ volunteers may not trespass on private land. When at the site, please carefully look for markers of private land, such as fences or hedges that define property boundaries, gates whether locker or unlocked, and posted signs prohibiting trespass; respect the landowner’s property rights and do not trespass. If you find yourself on private property without permission or you have been asked to leave, please leave immediately even if your conservation activity is incomplete. If you are uncertain as to whether property is public or private, assume it is private, stay on the public roads adjoining the property when performing the activity, and do not enter the property itself without obtaining permission from the owner. For your own protection from trespass claims, the permission should be written.
Please note that grids can include both public and private land and Xerces’ volunteers may not trespass on private land. When at the site, please carefully look for markers of private land, such as fences or hedges that define property boundaries, gates whether locker or unlocked, and posted signs prohibiting trespass; respect the landowner’s property rights and do not trespass. If you find yourself on private property without permission or you have been asked to leave, please leave immediately even if your conservation activity is incomplete. If you are uncertain as to whether property is public or private, assume it is private, stay on the public roads adjoining the property when performing the activity, and do not enter the property itself without obtaining permission from the owner. For your own protection from trespass claims, the permission should be written.
2023 Priorities
- What's old is new! Our first priority for 2023 is to ask you to return to the first place that you conducted a survey for the Atlas, ideally around the same time. Repeated surveys, at the exact same location, will give us a good picture of how well our survey protocol captured the bumble bee community, and at the same time provide an update from our earliest survey sites. You can continue doing this through the summer, and re-find all of your favorite spots! If you're brand new to the Atlas, then welcome, and feel free to choose a spot that you think is great! All surveys are helpful!
- When it's hot, go high! After pouring over the data this winter, it seems that the most important areas that remain under sampled are those at higher elevations. if you are able and have the skills and knowledge to do so, we encourage you to head to higher elevation areas (see the map below and on the website). These high elevation surveys will help us to understand how climate change is impacting our bumble bees, and give us the opportunity to potentially detect new species. To help you understand what we mean by "high elevation" we made the below map with suggested areas to survey. Please note that these polygons do not guarantee that these lands are suitable habitat, or that they are accessible. Please use these only as a guide, and carefully consider your travel plans. Many roads that access these areas may be quite rough, and navigating for long stretches on gravel roads, usually without cell service, comes with significant risk. Risks may include but are not limited to: exposure to inclement weather, stinging/biting insects, animals such as bears or cougars, rough terrain and the risk of working in a remote location including the risk of becoming lost with limited communication. Please plan accordingly, and proceed with due caution. Unfortunately, we are not able to help coordinate these surveys beyond the normal planning logistics we provide in our training workshops, and on our website. These surveys won't be for everyone, and that is okay! Others can continue to return to favorite spots through the summer (see #1 above). With the current snowpack, these higher elevation spots likely won't open up until July; once open they will be a fine way to spend the dog days of summer (and beyond)!
- Go where no one has gone before! There are a small number of under surveyed grid cells out there! It would be fantastic to get at least two surveys in each of these cells before we're done. Explore the map below for more details.
Step 2: Adopt your grid cell by filling out the form below.You can download a copy of our volunteer waiver here.
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Step 3: Encourage others to adopt their grid cell today!
Click to download and share!
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Thank you!
Thank you! If you have questions, please feel free to contact us.
