Iowa DNR Seeks Volunteers for Statewide Bumble Bee Survey

MASON CITY — The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is calling on volunteers across the state to help track and protect bumble bee populations as part of the national Bumble Bee Atlas.

Through the effort, Iowa’s volunteer community scientists have already identified 13 species of bumble bees, including five of seven priority target species. The project, coordinated nationally by the Xerces Society in partnership with the Iowa DNR and Iowa State University, aims to better understand bee populations and their distribution.

“We were pleased with the participation last year and hope to build on that momentum,” said Stephanie Shepherd, wildlife biologist with the Iowa DNR.

Since 2024, participants have completed 644 surveys and counted more than 7,100 bees. So far, 62 volunteers have taken part, but organizers hope to grow that number to 100 in 2026.

Volunteers interested in joining the effort can sign up at www.bumblebeeatlas.org and search for Iowa. Participation includes two to three online trainings led by the Xerces Society, along with optional in-person field days to help volunteers learn how to safely handle and photograph bumble bees.

“It’s a fun but challenging survey,” Shepherd said. “It requires you to be outdoors for a while in the heat capturing bumble bees. Bumble bees are incredibly docile, especially when foraging. The only time they may be aggressive is near their nest.”

For those not ready to fully commit, residents can still contribute by submitting photos and locations of bees through bumblebeewatch.org.

Online trainings are scheduled for April and May, with field trainings planned statewide in June and July. Surveys will run from June through October.

Several survey areas remain unfilled, including a block covering parts of Winnebago, Worth, Hancock, and Cerro Gordo counties—offering a local opportunity for North Iowa residents to get involved.

Iowa is part of a three-year, four-state study alongside Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska, focused on understanding habitat and foraging needs of key bee species. This year marks the final phase of the inventory portion of the study.

“After this year, we will be shifting into long-term monitoring,” Shepherd said. “The survey will be similar but will shift a little bit for all species of greatest conservation need, including the rusty-patched bumble bee.”

The rusty-patched bumble bee, a federally endangered species, was identified last year in several Iowa counties, including new locations in Boone County. The species is known to inhabit urban areas and has even been found in residential neighborhoods.

In addition to volunteering, Iowans can support pollinators by planting native species at home.

“Plan to include natives that bloom at different times of the year and incorporate trees and shrubs that are important early bloomers,” Shepherd said.

Native plants can often be found at farmers markets or through county conservation boards. Residents are encouraged to avoid plants treated with insecticides. A list of native plant sellers is available on the Tallgrass Prairie Center website at tallgrassprairiecenter.org under the Resources section.

More information, including a demonstration video of the survey, is available on the Iowa DNR’s YouTube channel.