Join the Oldman Watershed Council on the last day of spring to learn about bees and take part in a bioblitz community science event.
The Oldman Watershed Council (OWC) is hosting a bioblitz on Saturday, June 20 from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre in Lethbridge.
A bioblitz is a community science monitoring event. Participants will learn about native pollinators (specifically bumble bees), then use nets and vials to safely catch and photograph bees using iNaturalist. Your observations will contribute to conservation efforts of the bee species at risk in our region.
This event is free and open to all ages. Parental supervision required for attendees under the age of 16. Registration is limited to 25 spots.
No experience identifying bumble bees or using iNaturalist is needed! We will provide instruction on how to distinguish bumble bees from honey bees and other insects. You’ll also hear about what’s causing bumble bee populations to decline, what the common species and species at risk in our area are, and how we can help. Finally, we’ll walk through how to use iNaturalist and demonstrate how to use the provided net and vials, before participants will have a couple of hours to look for and photograph bees.
Thank you to the Government of Canada’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk for supporting this event.
Good to know
Highlights
- 4 hours
- under 16 with parent or legal guardian
- In person
- Free parking
Refund Policy
Location
Helen Schuler Nature Centre
300 Indian Battle Road South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 0P6
How do you want to get there?
Agenda
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Orientation
Introductions, icebreakers. Presentation on bumble bees, including: Distinguishing bumble bees from honey bees and other insects, basic anatomy discussion Background on bumble bee life cycle and social behaviours Background on causes of bumble bee decline (climate change, habitat loss, pesticide use, introduced disease/parasites) Local species: 4 common and 4 SAR How we can help Providing habitat through pollinator friendly gardening, overwintering habitat Contributing data to conservation science through community monitoring (exactly what we will be doing!) How to photograph bees for identification purposes How to use iNaturalist Demonstration of how to use net and vials
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Bumble Bee Search
Free time for participants to find bumble bees!
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Wrap-Up
Discuss results, help with iNaturalist uploads, mingle