Through pollination, bumble bees contribute an estimated 3 billion dollars annually to US agriculture and provide innumerable ecological services to natural areas

The Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service Region 3 awarded the Iowa Department of Natural Resources $162,822.71 under the State Wildlife Grants program (CFDA 15.634) on January 1, 2026 to expand the Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas, a citizen-science survey initiative documenting distribution and occupancy of species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) bumble bee species across Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Minnesota.

The project will complete a comprehensive census of ten SGCN bumble bee species and establish a long-term monitoring framework to generate data for state and federal conservation planning. The Iowa DNR will enhance existing volunteer networks through targeted recruitment and standardized training, focusing survey efforts on SGCN species detection and occupancy. Deliverables include a regional bumble bee conservation plan identifying priority geographic areas, essential habitats, and host plants for SGCN species, along with science-based monitoring recommendations. The resulting data will directly inform Endangered Species Act status assessments and streamline environmental review processes.

The award builds on prior work that mobilized hundreds of community scientists to conduct over 1,500 surveys and generate more than 15,000 bumble bee observations, including over 3,300 observations of SGCN species. The project leverages an established partnership among four state wildlife agencies, multiple regional universities, and the Xerces Society, which receives a sub-award effective May 11, 2026 to deliver Midwest Bumble Bee Atlas work.

Period of performance is January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028, with place of performance in Iowa.

Unfortunately, many species face an uncertain future. Six species of bumble BEE in the midwestern US are protected by or are being considered for endangered species act protections due to widespread population declines. Multiple interacting threats affect all bumble BEE species. Limited data on their distribution and population status hinders effective conservation action. We propose to expand on the successful midwest bumble BEE atlas program which has already mobilized hundreds of community scientists across missouri, iowa, nebraska, and minnesota to conduct over 1500 surveys yielding more than 15,000 bumble BEE observations. This includes more than 3300 observations of species of greatest conservation need or sgcn. Our project will build on this foundation to complete a comprehensive census often sgcn bumble BEE species and establish a long-term monitoring framework that generates critical data for state and federal conservation planning. The project will enhance existing volunteer networks through targeted recruitment and training enabling participants to conduct standardized bumble BEE surveys with a focus on learning more about sgcn species detection and occupancy. The resulting data will directly inform ESA species status assessments and streamline environmental review processes. By project completion we will deliver a regional bumble BEE conservation plan that identifies priority geographic areas. The plan will also highlight essential habitats and host plants for sgcn species and provide science-based monitoring recommendations. This initiative leverages an established partnership among four state wildlife agencies along with multiple regional universities and the xerces society who together have built a robust network of trained volunteers. Building upon this existing conservation community we will develop a comprehensive roadmap that equips states with the tools and data needed to improve sgcn bumble BEE populations and their critical habitats.