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Iowa Bees Buzzing: Volunteer Effort Soars Past 500 Surveys
8 Jul
Summary
- Over 500 bumble bee surveys were completed in Iowa in 2025 by volunteers.
- Iowa participates in the national Bumble Bee Atlas project to track pollinators.
- Rare species like the rusty patched bumble bee have been found by volunteers.
Volunteers in Iowa conducted nearly 500 bumble bee atlas surveys in 2025, more than tripling the number from the year before. This citizen science initiative is part of the national Bumble Bee Atlas project, aiming to understand bumble bee populations and their habitats across the country. Iowans have identified 13 species since the survey began in 2023, with participation growing significantly each year.
The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is hosting training field days in July to recruit more volunteers for the upcoming 2026 monitoring season. Participants survey designated grid cells, collect bumble bees, identify species, and record plant data. Conservation efforts, such as managing existing or creating new habitats, are considered vital for protecting bumble bees, whose populations face threats from habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate change.
