2024 Events
Upcoming
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Additional Training
June 14th, 12-1pm on Zoom
To register for upcoming events, please visit https://www.bumblebeeatlas.org/pages/events
Past events
Minnesota and Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas Virtual Training
Sunday, April 21st, 2024 from 2:00-4:30pm on Zoom.
In this webinar we will cover everything you need to participate in the 2024 field season of the Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas. This includes how to catch and photograph bumble bees, submit your data, and identify your local bumble bees. Anyone with an interest in bees and a desire to help them in a hands-on way is encouraged to attend—no prior experience needed! Registration is required to join the webinar live, but the webinar will be recorded later viewing.
Ecology and Conservation for Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteers
Saturday, April 13th, 2024 from 11:00am-1:30pm on Zoom
There are nearly fifty species of bumble bees in North America, and these charismatic insects are essential pollinators in our gardens, farms, and natural areas. Unfortunately, many bumble bee species are in decline. Between climate change, the widespread use of pesticides, habitat loss, and the amplification and spread of diseases from commercial bees, bumble bees face an uphill challenge. In this webinar we will discuss bumble bee ecology, how that interacts with ongoing conservation issues, and what we can all do to help. Beyond participating in our Bumble Bee Atlas projects, protecting, creating, and restoring habitat is the key. We’ll discuss how to provide critical habitat to benefit each stage of the bumble bee life cycle, whether you have a small porch, or manage several acres. While this webinar is directed toward our Bumble Bee Atlas volunteers, anyone is welcome to join. Registration is required to join the webinar live, but the webinar will be recorded for later viewing. The webinar will be led by the bumble bee conservation crew at the Xerces Society: Rich Hatfield, Laurie Hamon, Katie Lamke, Genevieve Pugesek, and Leif Richardson, and joined by Dr. Elaine Evans and Elise Bernstein of the University of Minnesota.
Bumble Bee ID Webinar for the Upper Midwest
Friday, December 8th, 2023 from 12:00pm-1:30pm on Zoom.
Want to learn more about bumble bee identification? Join Elise, Elaine, Katie, and Genevieve from the Bumble Bee Atlas for a lunchtime webinar. This workshop will introduce attendees to bumble bee (Bombus spp.) identification in the Upper Midwest. While this workshop is geared toward Bumble Bee Atlas volunteers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota, we welcome anyone interested in learning more about bumble bee identification. We will cover the basics of bumble bee anatomy, and introduce you to each of the species you may encounter throughout the region. For each species we’ll include ID tips and an overview of habitat preferences.
Field Day Training with the Xerces Society
Sunday, August 27th, 2023 from 12 noon - 2:00 pm at Bluestem Prairie (near Moorhead, MN).
Join Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas coordinator Genevieve Pugesek for a hands-on training demonstrating survey protocols. You will learn how to use an insect net, how to identify bumble bees to species, and how to photograph bees for later species ID.
17th Ave S, Riverton Township, MN 56547. We will meet at 12 pm off of 17th Avenue S (46.855017, -96.472759), after which we will walk through the nearby prairie.
Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas Training with the Xerces Society
Saturday, August 12, 2023 from 12:00-2:00pm at the Hartley Nature Center in Duluth, MN.
Join Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas coordinator Genevieve Pugesek for a hands-on training demonstrating survey protocols, how to use an insect net, and bumble bee and plant ID.
3001 Woodland Ave, Duluth, MN 55803. Meet at 12:00 noon at the nature center parking lot (46.839, -92.082), after which we will walk along some of the nearby trails.
Field Day - Bees, Bison, and Burning
Thursday, August 3, 2023 from 9:00am-3:30pm at Minneopa State Park.
Learn about ongoing oak savanna restoration efforts, ways to integrate prescribed burning and grazing to manage prairie, and interactions among disturbances, plants, and pollinators in prairie reconstructions and remnants.
Dress appropriately for walking around in the prairie. Bring water and a lunch.
Field Day Training with the Xerces Society
Saturday, July 29, 2023 from 10:00am-12:00pm at Jay C. Hormel Nature Center in Austin, MN.
Join Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas coordinator Genevieve Pugesek for a hands-on training demonstrating survey protocols, how to use an insect net, and bumble bee and plant ID.
1304 21st St NE, Austin, MN 55912. We will meet at 10 am near the nature center parking lot (43.679287, -92.938287), after which we will walk along some of the nearby trails.
Survey Check in
Friday, July 14, 2023 from 12:00-12:45pm on Zoom.
Hopefully you have had a chance to get out there and get your first survey of the year under your belt. We'd love to hear from you about what went well, what went not so well, and answer any questions you have about your survey sites, collecting or entering data, or any interesting observations you've made.
MN Bumble Bee Atlas Survey Demos
Saturday, June 17, 2:00-3:30pm in the Bee Lab Garden.
Join Elise and Elaine from the MN Bumble Bee Atlas as they demonstrate what a survey plot looks like, how to catch bees, how to put them on ice, how to take photos, some more bumble bee ID basics, and answer any outstanding questions.
***Please note that parking near the Bee Lab is limited. There are metered spots outside Hodson Hall and along Gortner Avenue. There is a parking ramp located at Buford and Gortner. Other options include Gibbs Farm ($2 and a short walk away) and Tatum Street just off Larpenteur Avenue.***
MN Bumble Bee Atlas In-Person Training in Faribault, MN
Saturday, June 10, 2023 from 9:30am-12:00pm at the Faribault Fairgrounds.
This workshop will train you to ID common bumble bees, safely handle and photograph bees, and record data. We’ll also answer all your burning questions about bumble bees. Weather permitting, we will get outside to find some bees on flowers.
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Training - REQUIRED for participants in high potential zones!
Friday, June 9, 2023 from 12:00-12:30pm.
Join Elise and Elaine for a lunchtime Zoom where we will talk through how to identify rusty patched bumble bee, how to tell them apart from other similar bumble bees, what to do if you find one, and answer any questions. This training is required for any of our volunteers with grids in high potential rusty patched zones, and highly recommended for all volunteers!
Check out the recording here.
MN Bumble Bee Atlas In-Person Training at the Gathering Partners Conference
Saturday, May 20, 2023 from 2:00-4:15pm.
The 2023 Gathering Partners Conference will take place at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum. Elise and Elaine will lead a session for volunteers. In this workshop, you'll learn everything you need to know to volunteer with the Minnesota Bumble Bee Atlas, including bumble bee natural history, beginning ID and research protocols.
Learn more and register for the Gathering Partners Conference
Great Lakes Bumble Bee ID Training
Tuesday, May 16, 2023 from 11:00AM-3:30PM at Jay Cooke State Park.
This training will focus on bumble bee ID at the species level, covering the most common species in our region, along with rare, imperiled species to be on the lookout for. The fascinating biology and critical conservation needs of bumble bees will also be discussed. Participants will learn how to participate in bumble bee monitoring projects, including the MN Bee Atlas and Bumble Bee Watch, and monitoring efforts at Jay Cooke State Park. Don't worry if you are new to bee ID-- we will meet you where you are at! Participants will receive bumble bee ID materials and other helpful resources.
PLEASE BRING: YOUR OWN LUNCH AND BEVERAGE, camera, notebook, and whatever else you need for spending some time in the classroom and (possibly) some time outdoors. A state park permit is required to park at the visitor center.
Virtual MN Bumble Bee Atlas Volunteer Training
Saturday, May 13, 2023 from 9:30am-12:00pm.
Are you interested in participating in the Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas, or have already adopted a grid cell? Join Elise and Elaine from the MN Bumble Bee Atlas as they gear up for the 2023 survey season! Program leaders will explain the survey process, including essential protocols, how to enter data into bumble bee watch, bumble bee photo tips, what to know about our endangered rusty patched bumble bee, and answer any questions.
Check out the recording here.
Info Session on Bumble Bee Biology, Ecology, and Conservation
Saturday, April 15, 2023, 2-4pm Central Time.
Bumble bee biologists from the national Bumble Bee Atlas team will present pertinent background information on bumble bees. Program leaders will discuss how to provide critical aspects of habitat to benefit each stage of the life cycle, whether you have a small porch, or manage several acres. While this webinar is directed toward our Bumble Bee Atlas volunteers, anyone is welcome to join. The webinar will be led by the bumble bee conservation crew at the Xerces Society: Rich Hatfield, Laurie Hamon, Katie Lamke, and Leif Richardson, who will be joined by Dr. Elaine Evans of the University of Minnesota.
Check out the recording here
Stay tuned for more in-person field events