Contacts
Amy Dolan, Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas Coordinator; 970-579-5059
Rich Hatfield, Senior Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; Bumble Bee Conservation Lead; 503-212-0540;
A new statewide initiative is recruiting volunteers to help save New Mexico's bumble bees. The New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas aims to better understand and protect these important pollinators, several of which are in decline. The program is seeking volunteers across the state to collaborate with local researchers and gather critical data on bumble bee distribution and habitat needs. Volunteers are trained to conduct catch-photograph-release surveys and then submit their data online.
"Bumble bees are beautiful and fascinating animals. They're also really important pollinators. I love introducing people to them and sharing how we can all make a difference," said Amy Dolan, a conservation biologist for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and coordinator of the New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas.
New Mexico is home to at least 22 species of bumble bees, six of which are of conservation concern. All bumble bee species face a variety of threats including habitat loss, disease, pesticide use, competition from commercial bees, extreme heat waves, and drought. In order to help populations recover, scientists need better information about where they are and the types of habitats they rely on.
2026 is the first year of the New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas and Dolan said volunteers are needed from all parts of the state.
"The key to the Bumble Bee Atlas project's success is volunteers," Dolan said. "There is so much to learn and a lot of ground to cover. It would take me decades to survey for bumble bees across all of New Mexico by myself. We need volunteers to help us find where the bees are and what they need before it's too late." New Mexico is especially challenging for gathering bumble bee data since so much of the land is remote, rugged, and challenging to access. Extremely dry conditions also make it difficult to find flowers and bumble bees. Dolan says a large network of dedicated volunteers is needed to make the work possible.
Interested volunteers can use resources at BumbleBeeAtlas.org/pages/train-online to learn how to participate. Additionally, a free hands-on field training event will take place in the Gila National Forest near Silver City on Tuesday, May 12 from 9am until noon. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn how to be an Atlas volunteer with other community members while getting your questions answered by Bumble Bee Atlas staff. All necessary equipment will be provided for use during the training. Interested volunteers can learn more by visiting the project's website at BumbleBeeAtlas.org and register for the field training on the events page.
The New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas is run by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation and supported by the Carroll Petrie Foundation. The project will gather important data on at-risk bumble bee populations, helping land management agencies and conservation partners make informed decisions that improve the survival of these essential pollinators and promote healthy ecosystems overall. Additionally, the data will serve as an important baseline for measuring the success of future conservation efforts.
For more information about the New Mexico Bumble Bee Atlas project, please visit www.BumbleBeeAtlas.org/pages/nmbba.
For more information about bumble bee conservation, please visit www.xerces.org/bumble-bees
