Get Involved: Resource Stewardship - Bumble Bee Monitoring

Bumble Bee Monitoring

Description:

Help collect data on the biodiversity of pollinators within our state park system! CPW is collaborating with the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation to better understand the current state of pollinators within Colorado. The Resource Stewardship Program at CPW manages the State Parks bumble bee community science monitoring project, and has partnered with Xerces biologists to provide training opportunities to volunteers, staff, and visitors to assist in ecological monitoring.

Responsibilities:

1.) Must become trained as Bumble Bee Monitor by CPW Resource Stewardship and able to make at least a 1-year commitment.

2.) A willingness to learn and identify invertebrates down to species.  Training workshops and video tutorials will be available to all volunteers.

3.) Become familiar with a particular State Park and monitor for bumble bees at least twice a year (per sample location) between April - June.

4.) Collect data in the field using paper or digital applications.  Enter data into the database via a computer and communicate survey results or questions to project managers.

5.) Conduct a habitat assessment of bumble bee survey locations and identify flora down to species or group.

6.) Attend meetings and training events.

7.) Have a good time and get recognized for your efforts!

QUALIFICATIONS DESIRED

- Have own transportation and be willing to travel to site

- Ability to walk survey sites over uneven terrain. Length and level of difficulty of getting to site varies by park. Some require only minimal walking. Others require traversing sometimes difficult and unmarked terrain (such as at State Forest, Mueller, Spinney/Eleven Mile, Staunton, Eldorado, and Golden Gate).

Time Commitment:

Bi-weekly hour needs range between state parks and seasons. 1 full year commitment required.

Volunteer Benefits:

1.) Collaborate and connect with CPW staff and volunteers

2.) Increase bumble bee and invertebrate identification skills and natural history knowledge

3.) Receive Resource Stewardship Volunteer uniform items

4.) Access to bumble bee monitoring and identification resources and materials

Interests:

General - Sustainability, Outdoors and Community Science - Botany, General - Data Entry and Management, Wildlife - Wildlife Biology/Surveys, General - Ongoing Volunteering, Outdoors and Community Science - Bumble Bee Monitoring, Habitat and Trail Work - Habitat Improvement/Restoration, Outdoors and Community Science - Native Plants, Outdoors and Community Science - Butterfly Monitoring, Wildlife - Wildlife, Special Projects - Photography, Outdoors and Community Science - Hiking

Skills:

Photography, Computer, Phone, or Email Skills, Data Entry, Insect ID, Gardening/Agriculture/Landscaping, Plant ID, Botany, Habitat Restoration

Places:

Chatfield State Park, Cherry Creek State Park, Roxborough State Park, Castlewood Canyon State Park