Nature NB is conducting field surveys in Fredericton this summer to study native bumblebees. Equipped with insect nets and vials, the conservation group aims to create a detailed map of bumblebee locations and habitats in New Brunswick and the Maritimes. This initiative, led by program coordinator Francie Morgan, seeks to establish baseline data for conservation efforts and informed decision-making to protect pollinators.
Working in collaboration with various partners like the Amlamgog (Fort Folly) Habitat Recovery team, EOS Eco-Energy, and the Pays de Cocagne Sustainable Development Group, Nature NB is surveying three sites in different neighborhoods on Fredericton’s north side. By identifying bumblebee species based on color patterns and shapes on the bee’s abdomen and thorax, the team has already documented six species during the initial survey in June.
Collected data is shared with organizations like the Unama’ki Institute and the Atlantic Canada Conservation Data Centre, as well as the iNaturalist database for global access. According to Morgan, protecting bumblebee habitats also benefits other species like wasps, monarchs, and hummingbirds, emphasizing the interconnectedness of ecosystems.
The significance of native bumblebees in maintaining plant diversity and ecosystem resilience underscores the importance of conservation efforts. The recent release of a draft recovery strategy for threatened bumblebee species in New Brunswick highlights the need for standardized monitoring protocols and collaborative research to fill knowledge gaps.
Shaylyn Wallace, the species at-risk manager at the Department of Natural Resources, stressed the importance of public education on bumblebee conservation. Encouraging local residents to support wild pollinators by allowing yard spaces to grow naturally can significantly contribute to creating vital foraging habitats for bumblebees and promoting biodiversity.
