Bumblebees Are Buzzing Across Utah's Backyards and Mountains—Are You?
With World Bee Day and Endangered Species Day last week, wildlife that need help have been on all our minds.
Art by Wild Utah Project intern Eva Quintus-Bosz
If you got flooded with information, we're happy to report that it's not all doom and gloom—not even close. When it comes to bumble bees and monarchs, you can make a real difference with just an app and a little training!
Keep reading to learn how you can join Utah Pollinator Pursuit and influence the future of Utah's monarchs and bumble bees. You'll also get outside, whether it's in your garden, around your neighborhood, or on the trail.
How to Get Involved
1 - Watch the training recording.
2 - Visit the Utah Pollinator Pursuit page, where you can choose whether to become a Site Steward and/or an opportunistic data collector.
3 - If you are getting involved as a Site Steward, sign up for a Monarch Site.
4 - Review project materials (see "Training Resources" below) as needed.
5 - Start collecting pollinator data, whether on a hike, in your garden, or at a Monarch Site! Don't forget to include photos.
6 - Spread the word. Share photos and quotes with sarah@wildutahproject.org for a chance to be featured. Don't forget to tag us in your posts!
June Volunteer Field Trip
Join us in the field as we examine a property for pollinator conservation potential! A large proportion of potential monarch habitat is privately owned in the state of Utah, so this kind of work is exciting.
What: A landowner and US Fish & Wildlife Service are interested in determining nectar resources on site at a property in Axtell, Utah and how it might be improved for pollinators going forward.
Date: June 16, 2021, 10am-1pm
Meeting Time & Place : 10am at the LDS church in Axtell (2 hours 10 mins drive time from Salt Lake City, about a block west of Highway 89 in Axtell). The trip leaders will be in an FWS truck, state truck, and/or a blue 2005 4Runner. Will be heading to the project property.
Appropriate Gear List: Water, lunch or a snack, shoes or boots, sunscreen
What to Expect: Easy walking, but will likely be wet. Can walk in groups if preferred. We may divide property up depending on number of people who sign up to join.
COVID-19 Precautions: Can walk around site without mask if all in your work group are comfortable with that. Recommend masks in cars if carpooling.
Photo by Janice Gardner
Volunteer Resources
Some helpful resources are included below.
Printable PDFs on identifying monarchs, milkweed, and bumble bees.
Resources for using Survey123:
Utah Pollinator Pursuit page, where you can view additional resources and information about the project.
Wild Utah Project pollinator page, where you can view updates if you miss them in your inbox and print flyers to have on hand during site visit.
A copy of the bee guide is also available through the Survey123 app.
Contact Information:
Amanda Barth, Rare Insect Conservation Coordinator - abarth@utah.gov
Mindy Wheeler, Rare Plant Conservation Coordinator - mindywheeler@utah.gov
Mary Pendergast - Conservation Ecologist - mary@wildutahproject.org
To help us get more data on this important project, please share this email with anyone else who might be interested.
Thank you for everything you do to conserve our special insects in the West. This work would not be possible without you. Don't hesitate to email us at info@wildutahproject.org with any questions.