Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size and distinctive striped patterns, usually of black and yellow, but often with stripes of red, orange, or white. They play an incredibly important role in keeping our environment healthy by pollinating flowers in natural areas and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
In recent years, the importance of pollinators and their contribution to the agricultural economy has been recognized, as has their vulnerability, in large part because of widespread losses of bees. Declines of pollinator populations are alarming, and particular attention has been drawn to the plight of the introduced European honey bee and Colony Collapse Disorder. Equally important, but less well understood or publicized, is the parallel decline of native bee populations, particularly bumble bees. A recent study led by the IUCN Bumble Bee Specialist Group, supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron, and a status review by 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.
In recent years, the importance of pollinators and their contribution to the agricultural economy has been recognized, as has their vulnerability, in large part because of widespread losses of bees. Declines of pollinator populations are alarming, and particular attention has been drawn to the plight of the introduced European honey bee and Colony Collapse Disorder. Equally important, but less well understood or publicized, is the parallel decline of native bee populations, particularly bumble bees. A recent study led by the IUCN Bumble Bee Specialist Group, supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron, and a status review by 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.
The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely playing a role: loss or fragmentation of habitat, pesticide use, climate change, overgrazing, competition with honey bees, low genetic diversity, and perhaps most significant of all, the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting existing habitat and creating and maintaining new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. This will require widespread participation and collaboration by landowners, agencies, and scientists. This effort has begun, but more work is required.
In addition to habitat, we need a better understanding of where these animals are living in order to conserve them, and to protect habitat in the best places. While we have a decent gross understanding of bumble bee distributions in the Pacific Northwest, more detailed information will generate better conservation recommendations. Idaho, Oregon and Washington are home to nearly 30 species of bumble bees, and several of them face an uncertain future. The western bumble bee has declined dramatically - especially in the western portion of its range, and species like Morrison’s bumble bee and the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee appear to be in decline. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University, and the Xerces Society have partnered to help complete that story and to better understand the status of our native bumble bees. The missing partner is you - become a citizen scientist and join us!
Because Washington, Idaho, and Oregon are large and wild, professional scientists can only reach so many places. But, with your help we can recruit an army of trained volunteers equipped with cameras and observation vials. Then, we can cover all three states quickly, collect scientific quality data, and contribute to the global understanding of bumble bee distributions.
Our ask is pretty simple:
What you will need to participate:
What is helpful to participate:
In addition to habitat, we need a better understanding of where these animals are living in order to conserve them, and to protect habitat in the best places. While we have a decent gross understanding of bumble bee distributions in the Pacific Northwest, more detailed information will generate better conservation recommendations. Idaho, Oregon and Washington are home to nearly 30 species of bumble bees, and several of them face an uncertain future. The western bumble bee has declined dramatically - especially in the western portion of its range, and species like Morrison’s bumble bee and the Suckley cuckoo bumble bee appear to be in decline. The Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Oregon Department of Agriculture, Oregon State University, and the Xerces Society have partnered to help complete that story and to better understand the status of our native bumble bees. The missing partner is you - become a citizen scientist and join us!
Because Washington, Idaho, and Oregon are large and wild, professional scientists can only reach so many places. But, with your help we can recruit an army of trained volunteers equipped with cameras and observation vials. Then, we can cover all three states quickly, collect scientific quality data, and contribute to the global understanding of bumble bee distributions.
Our ask is pretty simple:
- Attend a training event.
- Adopt a grid cell - you can do this alone, or with a group of friends or family (Bumble Bee Watching is more fun with friends!).
- Visit a location within that grid cell two times during the bumble bee season and use one of our standardized protocols to sample for bumble bees.
- Submit your data to Bumble Bee Watch online, or using our iOS mobile app.
- Submit your habitat data here or using the mobile app.
What you will need to participate:
- A curiosity for insects and flowers.
- Transportation to your grid cell (you could also choose one that you can walk to).
- A smartphone or camera to take high quality pictures.
- Access to a computer or smart phone where you can upload photos to Bumble Bee Watch and track your progress.
What is helpful to participate:
- An insect net and vials (glass jars from home work well).
- Basic knowledge of wildflowers and where to find them!
- Plant field guides
- Bumble Bees of North America
Contact Us
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Project Coordinators:
Rich Hatfield Senior Conservation Biologist The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation 628 NE Broadway, Suite 200 Portland, OR 97221 Phone: (503) 232-6639 x115 rich.hatfield@xerces.org Ann Potter Conservation Biologist - Insect Specialist WA Department of Fish & Wildlife Wildlife Program PO Box 43141 Olympia, WA 98504-3200 phone: 360-902-2496 ann.potter@dfw.wa.gov Ross C. Winton Regional Wildlife Biologist Wildlife Diversity Program Idaho Department of Fish and Game 324 South 417 East, Suite #1 Jerome, ID 83338 Phone: (208) 324-4359 |
Project Partners/Collaborators:
Andony Melathopoulos Assistant Professor of Pollinator Health Extension Department of Horticulture Oregon State University Sarah Kincaid Oregon Department of Agriculture Plant Protection & Conservation Program Area Chris Marshall Oregon State Arthropod Collection Curator and Collections Manager James Strange, PhD Research Entomologist USDA-ARS Pollinating Insects Biology Management and Systematics Research Unit Karen Mock, PhD Wildland Resources Professor Utah State University |
Funded by:
The Oregon portion of this project is supported with funding from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research. The Washington and Idaho portion of the project is supported with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - State Wildlife Grant Program. Additional support is provided by The New-Land Foundation, Inc., The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust and the U.S. Forest Service.
The Oregon portion of this project is supported with funding from the Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research. The Washington and Idaho portion of the project is supported with funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - State Wildlife Grant Program. Additional support is provided by The New-Land Foundation, Inc., The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust and the U.S. Forest Service.
