With the official return of spring next week, it’s a good time to remind us of the importance of pollinators.
To do so, we are excited to welcome Amy Dolan, an endangered species conservation biologist with the Xerces Society to our evening meeting on March 19.
Dolan is the coordinator for the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas in Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming. Bumble bees just may be her favorite pollinator, and she will share with us how awesome they are, conservation concerns and what we can do to help them.
Bumble bees are charismatic, easily recognizable pollinators thanks to their large size, loud buzz and distinctive color patterns. They play an incredibly important role in sustaining the health of our environment by pollinating flowers in natural and urban areas, and by contributing to successful harvests on farms.
The mountain regions of North America boast some of the highest diversity of bumble bees, making Colorado a fantastic place to learn about these fuzzy pollinators.
Unfortunately, like many other insects and pollinators, many bumble bee species have been experiencing population declines in past decades. The good news is that there are actions we can take right now to help them.
Come learn about the unique life cycle and adaptations of these amazing creatures. Hear more about conservation issues and what can be done to help, including how the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas is using citizen scientists to help conserve bumble bees, one photograph at a time.
The Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas is an ongoing community science project and everyone is invited to participate. Learn more at BumbleBeeAtlas.org.
The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is a donor-supported nonprofit organization that protects our world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. For more than 50 years, it has been a champion of Earth’s most biodiverse and overlooked animals, protecting the life that sustains us. Learn more at xerces.org.
The public is invited to join us at the Community United Methodist Church on Lewis Street on March 19. We will meet at 6 p.m. to socialize with snacks before the meeting starts at 6:30 p.m.
Dolan’s presentation will take place over Zoom and we will view it together at the church.
Please enter through the side door off the parking lot or let us know to open the main door for handicap entrance. In appreciation for our meeting space, we welcome donations of nonperishable food for the church food bank.
A link to participate from home will be posted on the event description on our website, www.weminucheaudubon.org.
