The Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas: A Collaborative Effort to Conserve Bumble Bees Through Community Scientist Observations

2025 Harlow Summer Seminar Series: June 26th

Talk Title: The Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas: A Collaborative Effort to Conserve Bumble Bees Through Community Scientist Observations
Speakers: Michelle Toshack, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist with Xerces Society

We will host a BBQ at 5:30 followed by the seminar at 6:30, with a $10.00 suggested donation for attending the event. The event is open to the public and reservations are not required.

Attend Virtually: The talk will also be live on Zoom. The zoom link will be made available through our email list. If you haven’t already, join our mailing list!

Abstract

Bumble bees are some of the most beloved and iconic pollinators in North America. With their large size, loud buzz, and striking color patterns, they not only capture our attention—they play a critical role in the health of our ecosystems. From wildflower meadows to backyard gardens to working farms, bumble bees help sustain life by pollinating the plants we and countless other species depend on.

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is a hotspot for bumble bee diversity, but many bee species are now at risk. Habitat loss, pesticides, climate change, and disease are pushing several species toward extinction, with some already petitioned for protection under the Endangered Species Act.

In response, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation launched the Bumble Bee Atlas—a powerful community science initiative to help track and protect these essential pollinators.

This presentation will explore the ecology and conservation status of bumble bees in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and share how you can get involved in protecting them.

Bio

Michelle Toshack is a conservation biologist with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and is from Livingston, Montana. She obtained a master’s degree in biological sciences from Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC, where she researched pollinator biodiversity and the impacts of farming practices on bumble bees. She has a background in field biology and community science, where she has worked to involve the public in advancing conservation efforts across North America.