Nature NB is currently conducting field surveys in Fredericton to study the native bumblebee population. Equipped with necessary tools like insect nets and vials, the conservation group aims to create a detailed map of bumblebee locations and habitats in New Brunswick and the Maritimes. This initiative, led by program co-ordinator Francie Morgan, focuses on establishing baseline data for conservation efforts to protect bumblebee habitats effectively.
Working in collaboration with the Unama’ki Institute and other local organizations, Nature NB’s survey efforts are concentrated in three neighborhoods on Fredericton’s north side. By identifying bumblebee species based on distinct color patterns and shapes, the team has already documented six different species during the initial survey in June. New Brunswick is home to 18 bumblebee species, as per provincial records.
Collected data is shared with various organizations to aid conservation efforts on a broader scale. By protecting bumblebee habitats, Nature NB believes they are also safeguarding other species like wasps, monarchs, and hummingbirds that rely on these habitats. The importance of native bumblebees in maintaining plant diversity and ecosystem resilience cannot be overstated, especially in the face of climate change.
The timing of Nature NB’s program coincides with the New Brunswick government’s draft recovery strategy for two threatened bumblebee species in the region. The Bohemian cuckoo bumblebee, previously thought to have disappeared, was rediscovered in northern New Brunswick in 2021, highlighting the need for standardized monitoring protocols. Shaylyn Wallace, a species at-risk manager, emphasized the significance of researchers and non-profit organizations in filling critical data gaps for conservation efforts.
For individuals interested in supporting wild pollinators like bumblebees, encouraging the growth of native plants in their yards is a simple yet effective step. By allowing a portion of their yard to remain wild, residents can contribute to creating essential foraging habitats for bumblebees and other pollinators in their local ecosystem.
