Bumble Bee Atlas Materials
Note: Newly updated Atlas materials for 2021 season will be available in April.
Participation Handbook - 2020
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Bumble Bee Identification Guide
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Bumble Bee Survey Data Sheet
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Habitat Survey Data Sheet
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Bumble Bee Identification
Bumble Bees of North America Book
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Bumble Bees of the Western United States
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Bumble Bees of the Eastern United States
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Western Bumble Bee Pocket ID Card
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Plant Identification
1. Field Guide to Wildflowers of Nebraska and the Great Plains by Jon Farrar
2. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers by Ladd and Oberle
3. Kansas Wildflowers & Grasses (online resource)
4. Nebraska's Roadside Flowers and Grasses by DOT
5. iNaturalist Mobile App for Android or Apple
2. Tallgrass Prairie Wildflowers by Ladd and Oberle
3. Kansas Wildflowers & Grasses (online resource)
4. Nebraska's Roadside Flowers and Grasses by DOT
5. iNaturalist Mobile App for Android or Apple
Survey Location and Weather Resources
1. Google Map of Grid Cells
2. Map of Nebraska Public Access Areas
3. To record latitude and longitude when conducting a survey, ensure your smart device's location services are turned on, open Google Maps or other mapping service, zoom in as close as you can to your current location, and "drop a pin" by pressing and holding on the map. Coordinates of your location will then appear on the smart device, with an option to save or not. Coordinates need to be submitted as Decimal Degrees, but there are online conversion tools if your coordinates are in a different format.
4. Weather apps are very practical to have on your smart device when conducting a survey, though it is possible to find weather information elsewhere.
5. If you'd like to record survey data using a smart device, download the ArcGIS Survey123 app for Apple or Android.
2. Map of Nebraska Public Access Areas
3. To record latitude and longitude when conducting a survey, ensure your smart device's location services are turned on, open Google Maps or other mapping service, zoom in as close as you can to your current location, and "drop a pin" by pressing and holding on the map. Coordinates of your location will then appear on the smart device, with an option to save or not. Coordinates need to be submitted as Decimal Degrees, but there are online conversion tools if your coordinates are in a different format.
4. Weather apps are very practical to have on your smart device when conducting a survey, though it is possible to find weather information elsewhere.
5. If you'd like to record survey data using a smart device, download the ArcGIS Survey123 app for Apple or Android.
Collecting Supplies
1. Nets: BioQuip, Home Science Tools, or search the internet for "aerial insect net"
2. Vials: We like to use 50ml plastic vials, because they are light weight, small, and chill relatively quickly, making them ideal for survey trips. However, many items that are easily found around the house can work for this purpose, such as empty jars or containers, just make sure they are thoroughly washed.
3. Camera: The best type of camera for surveys are digital cameras that have a macro setting, and there are many to choose from! We like to use the Olympic TG-6 mainly because it has an amazing macro setting, GPS capabilities, and has immense durability for use in the field. Smartphones work well if your camera remains focused as you zoom, and if desired, you can easily enhance your smartphone photos by purchasing a macro lens attachment. These lens attachments are relatively easy to find on the internet, be sure it is a macro lens that fits your phone model.
2. Vials: We like to use 50ml plastic vials, because they are light weight, small, and chill relatively quickly, making them ideal for survey trips. However, many items that are easily found around the house can work for this purpose, such as empty jars or containers, just make sure they are thoroughly washed.
3. Camera: The best type of camera for surveys are digital cameras that have a macro setting, and there are many to choose from! We like to use the Olympic TG-6 mainly because it has an amazing macro setting, GPS capabilities, and has immense durability for use in the field. Smartphones work well if your camera remains focused as you zoom, and if desired, you can easily enhance your smartphone photos by purchasing a macro lens attachment. These lens attachments are relatively easy to find on the internet, be sure it is a macro lens that fits your phone model.
Get Connected with Other Volunteers
Join the other Atlas volunteers in our Facebook group that is set up for people to interact, share photos or experiences, and ask questions.
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Follow us on Instagram @nebumblebees to stay up to date with the project and use #NEBBAtlas to share your photos with us!
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Bumble Bee Conservation Resources
Conserving Bumble Bees: Guidelines for Creating and Managing Habitat
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Bumble Bee Conservation Brochure
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General Pollinator Habitat Resources
Attracting Native Pollinators
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100 Plants to Feed the Bees
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Farming with Native Beneficial Insects
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Pollinator Plant List: Northern Plains Region
Establishing Pollinator Meadows from Seed
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Protecting Pollinators at Home
Maintaining Diverse Stands of Wildflowers Planted for Pollinators
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Bring Back the Pollinators
Rangeland Management and Pollinators: A Guide for Producers in the Great Plains
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Become a Xerces Society Member
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The Xerces Society is a science-based conservation organization that promotes pollinator health, endangered species conservation, and pesticide-free habitat. Your gift will help us to protect the life that sustains us.
Member benefits include an annual subscription to Wings: Essays on Invertebrate Conservation, access to popular books and publications in our online gift center, updates on the latest news on invertebrate conservation, and our deepest gratitude for believing in our mission. Support the Xerces Society Become a Member Thank you! The Xerces Society is a 501 (c)3 non-profit. Your gifts are tax-deductible. |
