Bumble Bee Survey Training and Workshop 2026
- Aug 13
- 2 min read
7/25/2026
Learning to Identify Bumble Bees
More than 30 RGEV met at the Maplewood Extension office and adjacent Barn Gardens on a hot and humid Saturday in July to learn Bumble bee identification skills. Dr. Elaine Evans and her team of pollinator ambassadors led an hour long training including a question and answer session.
The training was provided during the University of Minnesota's Backyard Bumble Bee Count week (July 23 - Aug 1) where teams across the country are identifying Bumble bee species then adding their data to the iNaturalist app so that scientists have a better idea of the range, habitat, and presence of Bumble bees. This week was chosen as it is a strong indicator week for the presence of the [Rusty Patched Bumble bee], our MN state bee and a Federally Endangered Bumble bee.
Volunteers are welcome to download and review Dr Evans' slides.
Exploring Bees Near the Barn
The RGEV group was there to learn and contribute to citizen science. After the lecture, participating volunteers then practiced their new bumble bee identification skills in the native bed and Monarch Waystation. The group walked over to the prairie planted at the site of the Ramsey County Poor Farm Cemetary to further develop their skills.
After the training workshop, volunteers went home to conduct additional surveys in their own gardens, adding even more to the data effort.
Rusty patch confirmed at Pollinator Garden
Volunteer Dan Holbrook participated in the Backyard Bumblebee Count and snapped some photos during his shift. He is happy to report that the U of M bee taxonomist has confirmed that we have had Rusty Patch Bumble Bee at the Barn Gardens! https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/387205775
Story shared by
Amy J
Bumble Bee Survey Project Lead
RGEV Volunteer
