Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas - Colorado

First off.... What is an Atlas?

The Bumble Bee Atlas is a collaborative citizen-science project administered by the Xerces Society to track and conserve native bumble bee species across the U.S.

The Atlas is a community (aka citizen or participatory) science project aimed at gathering the data needed to track and conserving bumble bees. The information that we have suggests that many species of bumble bees face an uncertain future, but we lack the data needed to implement effective conservation measures, especially at the regional scale.

"Community science" means anyone is welcome to participate and help contribute to a better understanding of bumble bee needs.

Last year (2024) was my first year contributing to the Mountain States Bumblebee Atlas Colorado

Why focus on bumble bees?

Bumble bees are charismatic and easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz, and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.

North America is home to around 50 different bumble bee species. However, many of our bumble bees are in trouble and face an uncertain future. Several species have been petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act, and many more are recognized in State Wildlife Action Plans as Species of Greatest Conservation Need.

A recent study led by the International Union on Conservation of Nature’s Bumble Bee Specialist Group—supported by studies led by Dr. Sydney Cameron—and a status review by the late Dr. Robbin Thorp and the Xerces Society, demonstrate that one quarter of North America's nearly fifty species of bumble bees are undergoing dramatic population declines.

The causes of these declines are not fully understood, but the following are likely at fault: habitat loss, pesticide use, climate change, low genetic diversity, and the introduction and distribution of pathogens through commercial pollinators. Regardless of the ultimate cause of bumble bee declines, protecting and managing existing habitat or creating new habitat are some of the most immediate and productive steps that can be taken to conserve these important pollinators. Understanding what habitats are most important, where to protect them, and where to restore them, are where our Atlas projects will provide essential information.

Why is the Atlas valuable?

Working together, Xerces' scientists, state and federal agency biologists, university scientists, and community scientists will be able to rapidly grow our understanding of bumble bees! Xerce's teams of researchers will be able to use the new information to assess species distribution, population shifts, habitat associations and more. Additionally, the data will identify regions that are supporting healthy populations, as well as those in need of restoration or management, and highlight landscape features that are associated with bumble bee habitat. Understanding how species distributions have changed over time, in conjunction with habitat change, will help form accurate predictions as to what we should expect in the future, and aid in the design of effective conservation measures.

​With your help, we can quickly cover the large regions of the country, collect scientific-quality data, and contribute to bumble bee conservation. Our efforts will help conservation biologists, restoration practitioners, and policy makers do a better job protecting, restoring, and managing effective habitat that support healthy bumble bee populations. 

I severally underestimated how much I would enjoy contributing to the Mountain States Bumblebee Atlas here in Colorado.

Volunteers use catch-and-release methods to survey bees, taking photos to document species, distribution, and habitat needs to inform conservation efforts.

Why I volunteer:

I think that one of the best joys in life is witnessing someone else experience pure joy! If you had the opportunity to witness me running through wildflowers fields last year nabbing fuzzy bumble bees out of mid air, you are welcome.

You witnessed PURE JOY and I hope it gave you some too!

The best part of last year was after I was done photographing these mountain matriarchs.

I handed off that joy (bumble bee) to who was with me to warm up.

(I was at a honey judging training in Estes Park Colorado with a bunch of fellow beekeeper friends.)

Joy is experienced!

Joy is created!

Joy can be brought to others through simple, considerate, deliberate actions!

If I could only explain how much joy my heart received after handing off a bumble bee to my beekeeping mentor Kathy. She had never held a bumble bee before, let alone one that is sedated. She cupped her hands around the bee and talked to it, like a mom waking up a child from a nap. As the bees warm up, they vibrate their wing muscles and shake about.

She let out a giggle of PURE JOY! and watched as the bee flew home.

That is life!

Joy

Share what you love with others, you never know who you will inspire.

Bee well,

Shelli