Summer is here and our gardens are buzzing with life! As you observe the local wildlife, you can put your findings to good use by participating in citizen monitoring projects. Citizen scientists are a valuable resource to organizations that do not have the capacity to hire large numbers of staff. Last year, a citizen scientist in Illinois photographed a rare Rusty-patched bumblebee (Bombus affinis) and submitted her finding to BeeSpotter, which helped the Xerces Society understand the status of this declining species. This attests to the value of having many interested people, rather than just a few experts, out there documenting species. By making observations in local parks or your own backyard, you can help scientists discover trends in our natural ecosystems. Whether you live in the city or the country you can help be on the watch for beneficial invertebrates. Often times, little expertise is required and citizen monitoring activities make fun projects for the entire family!
Here are a few Citizen Monitoring projects:
Monarch Watch
Monarch butterfly migration, one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders, is threatened by habitat loss in North America. By creating a ‘Monarch Waystation’ you can provide milkweed and nectar sources for migrating monarchs. For more information, as well as ‘Waystation’ seed kits and opportunities to register and certify your site, visit the Monarch Watch website.
Lost Ladybug Project
Several native ladybug species that were once common in North America have become extremely rare over the past twenty years, and scientists want to know why. More generally, ladybug species distribution is changing quickly, and no one knows how this will affect ladybug diversity or the role that ladybugs play in regulating plant-feeding insect populations. By collecting and photographing ladybugs in your area, you can help Cornell University scientists learn where the lost ladybugs have gone.
Journey North
Seasonal change is driven by changes in sunlight, and plants and animals (including us) must respond. Journey North offers exciting ways to watch how the changing climate is affecting wildlife. An especially rich resource for teachers and parents, Journey North provides opportunities to perform experiments, engage in interactive games, track migrations and explore the interrelated aspects of seasonal change.
Firefly Watch
For those who live in firefly country, these beautiful insects are a hallmark of warm summer nights. Sadly, some of these incredible beetle species seem to be in decline. Firefly Watch is a citizen science project that combines a summer evening ritual with scientific research. If you have fireflies in your area, sign up to share your observations and help scientists map fireflies in New England and beyond.
BeeSpotter
If you live in Illinois, you can submit your honeybee and bumblebee sightings (with photos) to BeeSpotter. A partnership between citizen scientists and the professional science community, BeeSpotter is designed to educate the public about pollinators by engaging them in a data collection effort that contributes to nationwide baseline information about honeybee and bumblebee populations. Although BeeSpotter is currently only collecting bee spottings in the state of Illinois, they hope to eventually expand to other states.
Xerces Society’s Bumble Bee Project
Highlighted in our last enewsletter, The Xerces Society requests that citizen monitors submit observations and photos of the rusty-patched bumble bee and the yellowbanded bumble bee from eastern North America and the western bumble bee and Franklin’s bumble bee from western North America. This information will help Xerces understand the status and current distribution of four species of bumble bee that have undergone recent, dramatic declines. More information and identification tools are available on the bumble bee webpage.
Water Quality Monitoring
The aquatic insects, mollusks, crustaceans and other macroinvertebrates that live in your stream can often tell you something about the health of your watershed. In fact, a number of watershed councils regularly monitor these macroinvertebrates in order to understand and conserve their waterways. The EPA hosts a website to help individuals find and become involved with their regional watershed councils.
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OUR MISSION
The Xerces Society is an international, nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. For over three decades, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate conservation, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs.
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• innovative conservation programs
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JOIN
If you are not already a member, please consider joining the Xerces Society. Membership funding helps to spread the word about the vital role that invertebrates play in our lives.
As a member, you will receive two issues of our member magazine Wings each year. Wings is a full color magazine that highlights essays on invertebrate conservation and is a great addition to your home library. For more information on membership please visit the membership page on our website.
MEMBER RENEWAL
Our new website allows Xerces Members to renew their membership online through PayPal!
If you are not sure when your membership expires, email suzanne@xerces.org or call the office (503-232-6639). We want to make member renewal as easy as we can for our members, so please let us know if you have any suggestions.
PUBLICATIONS
New publications for sale at our online store
• Field Guide to Grasshoppers, Katydids, and Crickets of the United States
• Dragonflies and Damselflies of the West
PHOTO CREDIT
Metallic sweat bee (Agapostemon sp.) by Mace Vaughan, The Xerces Society
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