Bumble Bee Watch

Posted by Jeff on Jul 7, 2018 @ 12:42 pm in Conservation | 0 comments | Last modified: July 7, 2018

With the news this week that bumble bees have been added to the endangered species list, you may be asking yourself what you can do to help. Enter Bumble Bee Watch, a collaborative effort to track and conserve North America’s bumble bees.

This citizen science project allows for individuals to:

• Upload photos of bumble bees to start a virtual bumble bee collection;
• Identify the bumble bees in your photos and have your identifications verified by experts;
• Help researchers determine the status and conservation needs of bumble bees;
• Help locate rare or endangered populations of bumble bees;
• Learn about bumble bees, their ecology, and ongoing conservation efforts; and
• Connect with other citizen scientists.

Because bees are widely distributed, the best way to keep track of them is with an army of volunteers across the country armed with cameras. With any luck, you might help find remnant populations of rare species before they go extinct. Joining and participating is easy, just as simple as taking pictures.

Other ways to help include creating habitat, supporting local and organic agriculture, and recruiting others.

Are you interested? Learn more here…