Midwest bumble bee identification, ecology and conservation

This course is designed for anyone who wants to reliably identify bumble bees to species in the field, including conservation professionals, students performing research on bumble bees, and volunteers who want to take their identification skills to the next level. We will cover 24 common and uncommon bumble bee species including the endangered rusty patched bumble bee. We will focus on the color morphs common in the upper Midwest and cover species common throughout eastern North America.

This is a self-guided course that you can work on at your own pace year-round. The course includes pre-recorded videos and digital materials. Instructors are always available for questions via the online course interface or email. Live sessions will be regularly scheduled throughout the year and announced on the course page.

Instructors

Zach Portman is a bee taxonomist at the University of Minnesota in the Cariveau Native Bee Lab. His research focuses on the identification, taxonomy, and conservation of Minnesota bees. 

Elaine Evans is an Extension educator and researcher working on bee conservation. Elaine works with volunteers to survey bumble bees in Minnesota through the Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas program.

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