Nature NB is embarking on a mission in Fredericton this summer to study the native bumblebee, armed with insect nets, vials, and a temperature-controlled cooler. The conservation organization is conducting its inaugural field surveys to monitor bumblebee species in the capital city.
Working in collaboration with the Mi’kmaq-led Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources, the program aims to establish a detailed map of bumblebee locations and habitats in New Brunswick and the Maritimes region. Francie Morgan, the program co-ordinator at Nature NB leading this initiative, emphasized the importance of this effort in creating a foundation for conservation work to safeguard bumblebee habitats effectively.
The survey involves examining unique color patterns and shapes on the bees’ abdomen and thorax to identify different species on-site. Despite being early in the season, Morgan has already recorded six distinct bumblebee species during the initial June survey in Fredericton. The province of New Brunswick recognizes 18 bumblebee species in total.
Data collected during the surveys is shared with various organizations, including the Unama’ki Institute, the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, and iNaturalist, a global open-source database utilized by researchers worldwide. This information exchange enables informed conservation efforts across regions and benefits species like monarchs and bumblebees.
The ongoing survey program by Nature NB aligns with the provincial government’s recent release of a draft recovery strategy for two local bumblebee species under threat: the Bohemian cuckoo bumblebee and the yellow-banded bumblebee. The strategy emphasizes the need for standardized monitoring protocols to enhance understanding and conservation of these species.
Shaylyn Wallace, the species at-risk manager at the Department of Natural Resources, stressed the significance of gathering more data on bee locations to support conservation initiatives. Native bumblebees play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem stability, resilience, and biodiversity, particularly in the face of climate change and extreme weather events.
To encourage support for wild pollinators, Morgan suggested that residents can contribute by allowing yard spaces to grow naturally. By simply leaving parts of their yards untouched, individuals can create essential foraging habitats for bumblebees and contribute to the overall well-being of local ecosystems.
