If you ever wanted to learn more about and maybe even actively help the most adorable bees in Iowa, here's your opportunity.
2025 is the second year for Iowa's Bumble Bee Atlas and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources is looking for volunteers to participate all over the state.
To become a Bumble Bee Atlas volunteer you should:
- Watch the first two online training videos posted on the Iowa BBA website.
- Create a Bumble Bee Watch account.
- Adopt one of Iowa's survey grid cells.
- Gather equipment and print off data sheets.
- Attend a field training to get some in person training and experience in catching, handling and photographing bumble bees.
A number of in person field trainings will be held at various locations around the state throughout June and July.
“These are helpful for anyone who wants to participate in the survey because they provide hands-on experience with the atlas methods and with catching, handling and photographing bumble bees,” said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Diversity Program.
“These trainings are most helpful for people who have already gone through the two initial online trainings (now available as recordings) though it is not a requirement to have done so before attending an in-person field event.”
Iowa Field Training Events
JUNE 21 | Swiss Valley Nature Center, Peosta | 10 am - 12 noon
JUNE 21 | Reiman Gardens, Ames | 2 to 4 pm (right after pollinator fest concludes - pre-registrants get into the festival free!) (Ames Registration link)
JUNE 22 | Cedar Valley Arboretum, Waterloo | 12 noon - 2 pm
JUNE 24 | Humboldt County Historical Museum, Dakota City | 10 am - 12 noon
JUNE 28 | Lake Anita State Park, Anita | 10 am - 12 noon
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JULY 10 | Dickinson County Nature Center, Okoboji | 5 - 7 pm
JULY 19 | Honey Creek State Park, Moravia | 10 am – 12 noon
JULY 26 | Missouri National Recreational River, New Castle, Neb. (about 45 min from Sioux City) | 10 am - 12 noon
Registration is free but pre-registration is required. The number of participants for each training is capped at 15-20 people and is most appropriate for adults and children over 12 years old.
More field events may be added so keep an eye on the bumble bee atlas events page.
Not yet convinced? This video about the Atlas, featuring some of our star surveyors from 2024, will give you an idea how atlas surveys work and will hopefully get you excited to join us!