Entering our Sixth Season!
Western bumble bee photo by Sierra Hastings
As the air begins to warm and the snow turns into valley rain, the hum and buzz that fills the air lets us know that Spring is here!
With this change in seasons, we're eagerly planning for an exciting summer full of pollinator observations and activities. This past year, we were amazed by the contributions of project partners and our volunteer community scientists who came together to log over 850 observations in 2023!
These observations have made conservation efforts for insects and habitats possible. Here are just a few things your observations contribute to:
Habitat restoration projects
Pollinator friendly native seed and plant production
Habitat mapping
Migratory path analyses
This year, Sageland Collaborative and our partners at Utah State University and the Division of Wildlife Resources are focused on continuing to analyze these data while taking what results we already have to inform conservation strategies such as pollinator-friendly planting recommendations and activities along riparian corridors and upland habitats.
Next Steps for Utah Pollinator Pursuit
Having gathered the necessary information habitat managers need to support these crucial conservation planning efforts, we are shifting away from using the Survey123 app and are requesting that volunteers continue to log pollinators in a more public facing forum by joining the Utah Pollinator Pursuit project on iNaturalist.
Stay tuned for opportunities to join us in the field for habitat surveys and planting events as we dive deeper into pollinator season!
2024 Volunteer Training
You're invited to join us for our Utah Pollinator Pursuit training! Join project leads and fellow pollinator enthusiasts to dive into the importance of this work, gain in-the-field ID skills for our species of interest, and learn how to log observations in iNaturalist. Beverages, light snacks, and lunch will be included for all registered participants.
The training will be hosted on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 12:45pm-2pm at the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Wildlife Education Center in Farmington, UT. Unable to attend in person? Training videos and resources will be available on the project page following the event.
Meet the Team
Amanda Barth, Rachel Taylor, Mary Pendergast, and Mindy Wheeler at our 2023 Volunteer Training.
Utah Pollinator Pursuit project leads Mary Pendergast, Amanda Barth, and Mindy Wheeler combine their passion for pollinator conservation to create actionable outcomes for these species and their habitats.
“Urban landscapes are often written off as unimportant or lost to pollinators, but they are critical connectors between rural and ‘natural’ landscapes. Utah Pollinator Pursuit volunteers help managers understand what is happening in these crucial connective spaces and increases public awareness of urban habitat importance.”
-Utah Pollinator Pursuit Team
We are so grateful for the leadership of our project leads and our many outstanding partners in the community who come together day after day for pollinators.
Planting for Pollinators
Applications are now open for the 2024 Utah Pollinator Habitat Program native plant grant!
Selected recipients will receive habitat kits of regionally appropriate high-quality, native plants to expand pollinator habitat across Utah while increasing resource availability for pollinators.
Thank You
Thank you for everything you do to conserve our amazing pollinators in the West!
Please don't hesitate to email us at mary@sagelandcollaborative.org with any questions.
Not able to join us in the field this year? Please consider supporting this and other conservation work through donating, sharing on social media or with family and friends, or volunteering your expertise in other capacities on the project.