The Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas will host three field day trainings this month for people interested in helping track and conserve native bees, which have experienced steep population declines in recent decades. The Xerces Society and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources coordinate the state-wide community science project, now in its third year. Stephanie Shepherd is a DNR wildlife diversity biologist.
Shepherd says volunteers will catch bees with nets, take photos and release them unharmed during at least two, 45-minute surveys from June through September.
The upcoming field day trainings are not required to volunteer with the Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas, but Shepherd says they provide a hands-on opportunity for people to get more comfortable catching and releasing bumble bees.
The remaining field days are at Honey Creek State Park near Moravia on July 11th, Pony Creek Nature Center in Pacific Junction on July 19th, and the Nahant Marsh Education Center by Davenport on July 25th.
