A successful volunteer program to collect scientifically rigorous data on native bees

The Washington Bee Atlas is a new project that trains and partners with volunteers to identify and map existing native bee species in every county in the state of Washington. Volunteers commit to training and are provided supplies to collect native bees and process the specimens. The WSDA pollinator taxonomist then identifies the bee specimens and provides the data to the public, including researchers, agricultural stakeholders, and conservation groups. Volunteers are also given the opportunity to learn how to identify bees to genus. This atlas is modeled after the Oregon Bee Atlas which has been running for more than five years. Within 15 months, we have grown to over 130 volunteers.