Beth Swartz, a Wildlife Biologist in the Research and Assessment Section of the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, will be sharing about the Maine Bumble Bee Atlas (MBBA) project, which she is responsible for coordinating. Beth has worked with endangered and non-game wildlife since 1986.
The Maine Bumble Bee Atlas project was begun in May 2015 and is designed as a five year state-wide survey. It is modeled after the successful Maine Butterfly Survey and Maine Damselfly and Dragonfly Survey. The project marshals the efforts of volunteer citizen scientists from all across Maine. Over 100 volunteers were trained for the first season. MBBA has a colorful and informative Facebook page, as well as a blog and a website.
Bumble bees are an essential part of pollination for flowering plants, fruits and vegetables. Significant declines in some bumble bee species were detected in North America beginning in the late 1990s. This Atlas project aims to increase our knowledge about the status of the bumble bees in Maine. Seventeen species are known to live in Maine, and the study will seek to document the diversity, distribution and abundance of these throughout the state. All are invited to come to learn more about this fairly new and enthusiastically received citizen scientist venture.