'Bumble Bee Watch' Project Puts Conservation in the Hands of Citizen Scientists [VIDEO]

Citizen scientists across North America now have a platform to come together and share data they've collected about local and regional bumble bee populations.

Bumble Bee Watch is a new endeavor sponsored by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The interactive website allows people to become directly involved in the protection of bumble bees by reporting sightings, identifying species and participating in conservation efforts from an online platform.

"Bumble Bee Watch unites scientists and conservation organizations in Canada and the United States in the study and protection of North America's bumble bees," said Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society.

Black added that the Bumble Bee Watch website will "transform the way bumble bees are viewed and protected."

The citizen science project comes at a time when bumble bee populations around North America are dwindling, calling victim to habitat destruction, pesticide use and infection by pathogens. Honeybees around the world are also facing similar declines. The decline of bee populations is worrisome because of the crucial role the insects play as pollinators.

Since the 1990s bee biologists have observed a decline in the distribution and abundance of several wild bumble bee species. Five of these species were once considered common and are growing more and more rare.

Bee experts hope the new citizen science program will reveal more information about bumble bees' population and location.

"Bumble Bee Watch will greatly benefit our at-risk pollinator conservation program," said Sheila Colla, project leader for Wildlife Preservation Canada's At-Risk Pollinator Project, a partner in Bumble Bee Watch. "By locating rare bumble bee populations and collecting information on their ecological requirements, citizen scientists can help conserve these important insects."

Conservation biologist Rich Hatfield, who coordinated the creation of Bumble Bee Watch at Xerces Society, said the new conservation platform is promising.

"We have an amazing community of citizen scientists who have helped us follow a handful of bee species," Hatfield said. "Hopefully this new web site will generate greater awareness and allow us to draw more people into this community."