Assoc Extension Professor University of Minnesota Saint Paul, Minnesota
Bumble bees are an ideal group for public engagement in insect conservation. I use the endangered rusty patched bumble bee recovery plan formed by the US Fish and Wildlife Service as a framework for actions for public engagement in conservation research and policy. Public engagement in local, state, and continent-wide bumble bee monitoring efforts has provided important data about long-term population patterns, and habitat associations as well as the discovies of nests and specimens to aid research efforts. Public engagement is also important for legislative and local policy actions to protect populations from pesticides. Awareness of the conservation needs of bumble bees has increased efforts and resources available to support people to create pollinator habitat. Both local engagement with neighborhood organizations and state wide efforts provide resources and assistance to make needed habitat a reality. Public engagement in bumble bee conservation results not only in the gathering of data and the adoption of policies, but provides a doorway to awareness fo the importance of all insects.
