Xerces Events

Join the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas for a field training! This event takes place completely in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. Please note that this is not a comprehensive training. Participants should also attend or watch a training webinar or workshop or review the Participant Handbook before going out to survey on their own.

Learn more and register here today!


Amy Dolan - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join us at Vilicus Farms for a showcase on the many benefits of on-farm habitat and how to create more resilient farms.

Speakers include: 
Olivia Wood, Abundant Montana
Ricardo Pinto, Montana State University
as well as speakers from Vilicus Farms and the Xerces Society

This event is intended for farmers, researchers, academics, and students, but anyone with an interest is welcome! Pre-registration is encouraged.

Learn more and register here today!


Michael Trier - Inland Northwest Pollinator Habitat Specialist - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas for a Bugs & Bikes weekend at Vilicus Farms in Montana, home to the largest Bee Better Certified farm in the world – with nearly 700 acres of pollinator habitat. Set in a state that leads the nation with 29 native bumble bee species, this experience brings riders and eaters onto the land to connect with the insects that power our food system.

Through time in the fields and on two wheels, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how pollinator conservation, biodiversity, and agriculture are all part of the same living system.

Note: This is part of a larger event with Vilicus Farms, Montana Moth Project, 33x33 for Montana, Abundant Montana, Havre Trails, and Montana Department of Commerce.

Learn more and purchase tickets here. Limited tickets are available.


Michelle Toshack - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Montana Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

Join the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas for a field training! This event takes place completely in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. Please note that this is not a comprehensive training. Participants should also attend or watch a training webinar or workshop or review the Participant Handbook before going out to survey on their own. Children under 18 are welcome with adult supervision.

Learn more and register here today!


Amy Dolan - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Burr Oak Woods Conservation Area! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas for this training workshop at Monarch Ranch and learn about South Carolina's bumble bees! You will learn about the Bumble Bee Atlas community science project and how you can participate. Then, we will head outside and practice our field skills.

Learn more and register here today!


Avery Young - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Springfield Conservation Nature Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas for this field training event! This event takes place in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. Please note that this is not a comprehensive training. Participants should also watch the online training videos or review the Participant Handbook.

Learn more and register here today!


Michelle Toshack - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Montana Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join our panel of experts to answer your questions about how to manage pests and keep pesticides away from your garden. Bring your questions about buying bee safe plants, how to address your pest issues, and what you can do to reduce pesticide use.

To learn more about the Bring Back the Pollinators Pledge go to: www.bringbackthepollinators.org

This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Learn more and register here today!

Xerces Society presenters include: Aaron Anderson, Jacqueline Buenrostro, Emily May, and Sharon Selvaggio.

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina (EEASC) to learn about the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas community science project and how you can contribute to conserving our region's bumble bees. 

By attending this training workshop you can participate as community scientist with the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas. You’ll learn how to catch, photograph, and release bumble bees safely, record habitat information, and submit your findings through our online platform, Bumble Bee Watch. All of this contributes to a clearer picture of where bees are doing well—and where conservation efforts are most needed!

This training workshop is associated with the Environmental Education Association conference as a pre-conference event, but it is also open to public.

Learn more and register here today!

Join the Xerces Society and Wisconsin Women in Conservation for the first of a three-part 2026 Summer Camp webinar series focusing on those tiny conservation co-conspirators that fly, crawl, squirm, and creep through your fields and gardens, doing good work alongside you. Get up close and personal with invertebrates!

This first Summer Camp lunch Zoom will focus on what to do when you have invertebrates on your mind. Learn how to plan habitat that meets your goals and the needs of these hard-working helpers.

Conservation planning advice often begins by asking us to take a step back, think about the goals we have for our land, and then make changes to achieve our goals. In this webinar, we'll shift the conversation to also consider what the land itself might need. Learn about the many invisible food webs that surround us, the foundational role invertebrates play in them, and how to share your land with bugs for both their benefit and yours.

These are casual, live lunch Zooms, with expert guidance but plenty of time for interaction. Bring questions, eat lunch, sip coffee, drink tea, and be in community with like-minded women learning together to heal the earth. Pets and children are welcome on screen! 

This event is co-hosted by Wisconsin Women in Conservation and is intended for conservation enthusiasts in the upper Midwest.

Learn more and register here today!


Kathryn Prince - Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Wisconsin - Xerces Society

Join Wild Montana and the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas for a full-day field training plus hike in the Highwood Mountains, starting at Thain Creek Trailhead. This roughly 6-mile hike offers a chance to experience a beautiful landscape while contributing to the conservation of Montana’s wild bumble bees. We’ll hike through outstanding wildflower habitat on the Helena – Lewis and Clark National Forest, stopping along the way to learn how to catch, photograph, and safely release bumble bees as part of the Montana Bumble Bee Atlas, a statewide community science project working to better understand and protect these essential pollinators. Michelle Toshack of the Xerces Society will guide participants through survey methods, bumble bee ecology, and identification, sharing how data collected by volunteers helps inform conservation for bees in Montana. This training is ideal for those who enjoy a good day hike, care about Montana’s wild places, and want to take an active role in stewardship through hands-on science.

This event is free and open to the public. Registration will be managed through Wild Montana.

Learn more and register here! (Registration opens May 20, 2026) 


Michelle Toshack - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Montana Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas for a field training hosted by Volunteers of Colorado (VOC) and USFS, and be part of a community of bumble bee loving volunteers across Colorado searching for and documenting these important pollinators.

This training will take place completely in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. (Please note that this is not a comprehensive training, volunteers should also watch a training webinar and review the Participant Handbook.)

This field training will take place in the San Luis Valley, four hours south of Denver, Colorado. The training site will be located outside of Creede in an area known as Antelope Park. VOC will not be hosting a basecamp for this training but dispersed camping options are available near the field site. More information will be provided via email to registered participants.

Learn more and register here today!


Amy Dolan - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

Join in for this Bumble Bee Atlas field day at Wapsi Education Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up. This training will be led by Iowa Department of Natural Resources Staff.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will likely be walking through tallgrass prairie, which may contain poison ivy or other plant hazards. During the second hour, we will gather around picnic tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Your pollinator garden is visited by all sorts of beneficial insects, from bees to predatory bugs to lacewings. In this webinar, Jennifer Hopwood and Aaron Anderson of the Xerces Society will discuss how to identify and monitor the amazing invertebrates that live in and visit your pollinator habitat. They will also talk through the habitat needs of beneficial insects, pesticide risks, and some simple suggestions for insecticide-free pest management.

This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Learn more and register here today!


Aaron Anderson - Pesticide Program Specialist, Towns and Cities Lead - Xerces Society


Jennifer Hopwood - Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Staff Support, Roadside Specialist - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join us to learn about the region's bumble bee species and how you can participate in a community science project to help protect them! You will learn how to identify Tennessee species, how to catch and photograph bumble bees, and how to participate in the Atlas. The purpose of this event is to gain hands-on experience. You may also want to view our more comprehensive training to better understand the project. This event is for newcomers and for experienced volunteers—all are welcome!

Learn more and register here today!

After you register, and as the event nears, we will follow up with more details about the event, including driving and parking instructions.


Ciera Garner - Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Urban Farms and Small-Scale Operations (Tennessee) - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Ponca State Park! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas for a field training! This event takes place completely in the field and focuses on hands-on practice. Participants will learn how to safely net bumble bees, transfer them to vials, photograph them, and release them. We will also walk through how to complete the BBA data sheet. Please note that this is not a comprehensive training. Participants should also attend or watch a training webinar or workshop or review the Participant Handbook before going out to survey on their own. This event is free and open to the public. Children under 18 are welcome with adult supervision.

Please register in advance. You will receive an email with more information about the location, logistics, and what to expect approximately one week before the event.

Learn more and register here today!


Michelle Toshack - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Montana Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

Join the Mountain States Bumble Atlas staff and volunteers at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge on July 9 and 10 to learn about the Bumble Bee Atlas and help gather bumble bee data from locations across the refuge!

We’ll begin with a field training session on Thursday morning. That afternoon, and continuing through Friday, teams will spread out across the refuge to conduct surveys and collect bumble bee data. There will also be time to relax and take in the scenery, and interested volunteers may have the opportunity to join the wildlife biologist for an evening waterfowl-banding experience.

Ruby Lake is one of the most remote refuges in the lower 48, with Elko/Spring Creek being the nearest towns, about 60 miles away. Overnight housing may be available in refuge housing or at South Ruby Campground managed by the US Forest Service, Wednesday night through Friday night. Please contact Daniel Dewey ([email protected]) to ask about refuge accommodations or view campground availability for South Ruby at recreation.gov. Please Note: Volunteers are responsible for making their own travel and housing arrangements and paying the associated costs.

Learn more and register here today!


Amy Dolan - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas for this field training to learn about the region's bumble bee species and how you can participate in a community science project to help protect them! You will learn how to identify NC mountain species, how to catch and photograph bumble bees, and our methods for surveying.

Note: This site is best accessed with an AWD or 4WD vehicle due to the condition of the road. Directions to the site location can be found on the registration page. 

Learn more and register here today!


Avery Young - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Southeast Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Wapsi Education Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up. This training will be led by Iowa Department of Natural Resources Staff.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will likely be walking through tallgrass prairie, which may contain poison ivy or other plant hazards. During the second hour, we will gather around picnic tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join in for this Bumble Bee Atlas field day at River Bend Nature Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join us for this training workshop to learn the what, why, and how of the Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas in Nevada!

The first part of the day will be spent indoors in the Nevada Department of Wildlife Conference Room. In this classroom setting you'll learn about bumble bee diversity, life cycle, and conservation issues, along with details of the Bumble Bee Atlas protocol. After lunch, we'll head to a nearby field site (exact location TBD) for some hands-on practice. You'll be able to practice catching, photographing, and releasing bumble bees. Survey equipment (nets, vials) will be provided for you to use during the training, but it would be helpful to bring your own camera (cell phone cameras work!).

Lunch is on your own. Please bring a packed lunch or plan to stop for lunch on the way to the field site. Come prepared for the day with water, snacks, good walking shoes, sun protection, and materials for taking notes.

Learn more and register here today!


Amy Dolan - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Mountain States Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join us at Crystal Spring Farm for a showcase on the many benefits of on-farm habitat and how to create more resilient farms.

Speakers include:
Seth Kroek, Crystal Spring Farm
Emily Blaisden, Wild Seed Project
Catherine Coverdale, The Xerces Society
Phil Fanning, UMaine Coop Extension

This event is intended for farmers, researchers, academics, and students, but anyone with an interest is welcome! Pre-registration is encouraged.

Learn more and register here today!


Erin Cocca - Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Maine - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Spring Lake Park Reserve! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Conservation Blueprint! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through gently-graded prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Pony Creek Nature Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Interested in getting involved in pollinator conservation in your community? You might not have a yard or control of the landscaping where you live, but there are plenty of opportunities to help pollinators in your neighborhood, city, or town. School and community gardens are a great place to establish native plants that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. School and community gardens are also a place for people. They provide learning opportunities, green spaces, and natural refuge, where people can connect with and enjoy nature. They are a focal point for community gathering, advocacy, and cultural exchange, and neighborhood pride. In this webinar, join Xerces staff to learn more about community efforts and initiatives to protect and conserve pollinators, the basics of planting pollinator gardens, and see case studies of a variety of community and school pollinator gardens.

This webinar will be recorded and available on our YouTube channel. Closed Captioning will be available during this webinar.

Learn more and register here today!


Kelly Gill - Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, East Region - Xerces Society


Olivia Matise - Mid-Atlantic Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist - Xerces Society


Stefanie Steele - Pollinator Conservation Specialist, NRCS Partner Biologist, Urban and Small Farms, Michigan - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at Nahant Marsh Education Center! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be walking along trails and through tallgrass prairie collecting bumble bees. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and tick prevention are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].

Join the Bumble Bee Atlas for a field day at North Country Park! In-person training events are a great way to learn how to use your insect net, collect data according to project methods, practice identifying and photographing bees, and meet fellow participants. Registration is required to attend, so be sure to sign up.

This event will take place outdoors. During the first hour of this event, we will be collecting bees from the pollinator garden. During the second hour, we will gather around tables to practice bee ID. Boots or close-toed shoes, long pants, sunscreen, and insect repellent are recommended.

Learn more and register here today!


Genevieve Pugesek - Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas - Xerces Society

To request a reasonable accommodation or for inquiries about accessibility, please contact [email protected].