You are invited to a free virtual 2024 Bumble Bee year in review discussion with WI DNR Terrestrial Ecologists Jay Watson and Elizabeth Braatz and Bumble Bee Brigade Educator Judy Cardin.Register free here to receive the meeting link: www.surveymonkey.com/r/B7SNZGX

Soon- Spring! 😊 April and May shots from my woodland backyard. Endangered Rusty patched worker on Virginia Waterleaf, RPBB queen on Virginia bluebells, and RPBB queen on Dutchman’s Breeches. Three of the best early spring bumble bee flowers. Madison WI

This Thursday! Join me to learn more about the bees in your yard. 😊 Free virtual event sponsored by Lakeshore Natural Resources Partnership and Friends of Northpoint Park on January 30th, 6pm. Registration link: www.eventbrite.com/e/buzz-in-ou...

Gynes(new queens) are hibernating now in shallow underground chambers they dug at the end of summer. They emerge in April-June to start new nests and the next generation. Please be careful digging in spring, and avoid tilling and raking. If you uncover a gyne, replace the material and let her sleep

Bob and I are so cool.❤️ Please teach your children well to love bees, not fear them. This heartwarming note is from a second grader at Tower Rock Elementary School, Prairie du Sac, WI after a sunshine and laughter warmed school trip to Ho Chunk land prairie.

Endangered Rusty patched bumble bee observations from WI DNR Bumble Bee Brigade Community Scientist program. Community scientists made this map possible! Please submit your Wisconsin bumble bee photo observations to: wiatri.net/inventory/bbb/ Other states: www.bumblebeewatch.org

Please leave your plant stems forever! Bees use them for nesting and hibernation for 2-3 years. Stems will decompose and enrich your soil. Along with leaves, they provide natural mulch for moisture retention and weed suppression, and provide habitat for insects and other wildlife. Madison WI

Only 55 days until spring! ❤️❤️ This is a Twospotted bumble bee queen foraging on Bellwort, a beautiful spring woodland flower, in our backyard last April.

Goldfinch eating hyssop seed in our yard today. In spring, 30% of solitary bees use stems to nest and in fall to hibernate. Leave stems permanently: In spring cut pithy/hollow stems to 8-24” for nesting, and leave them for fall hibernation. Stems naturally decompose to create rich soil.

Male Rusty patched bumble bee on Showy goldenrod this September in our Madison WI yard.