The Great Canadian Bumble Bee Count

1) Have fun learning how to identify some of Canada’s native bumble bees attracted to your flower patch and other outdoor spaces by downloading a free copy of the our Census cards for either Eastern Canada or Western Canada. These Census cards are in demand by educators for schools and outdoor education programs and, we’re advised, there are too few learning materials about Canada’s wild, native bees.

2) One of the most positive steps that you can take to support pollinators is to plant native species—in yards, on balconies, in community gardens, at community centres…all over!” says Lorraine Johnson, garden expert and co-author of e-guide “A Flower Patch for the Rusty-Patched Bumblebee: Creating Habitat Gardens for Native Pollinators in the Greater Toronto Area”. While written for the GTA area, much of the content is relevant everywhere.

3) Have a great shot of a bumble bee? Email a copy of the photo to foe {at} foecanada.org to add to our library of native bumble bees.

Just like governments need a census to know what’s happening with its citizens, as well as their homes, families and jobs, we think bumble bees need their own census.  Not enough is known about wild, native bees in Canada, and what scientists do know is worrying.

Bumble bees are the most well known of Canada’s wild, native bees though getting to know the 40+ species is a challenge. To help identify your bumble bee photo, you can download a census card for Western Canada or Eastern Canada.

We know bees are facing many stressors – habitat loss, pesticide exposure and disease are big ones but so is climate change. In fact, the United Nations describes the loss of insects worldwide as an ongoing “insect apocalypse”.

As many as one-third of North American bumble bee species are in decline.

The Great Canadian Bumble Bee Count aims to raise awareness about the importance and conservation requirements of Canada’s over 40 species of bumble bees.  Bumble bees are crucial pollinators. Because they are capable of buzz pollination, they are particularly effective at pollinating a number of wildflowers, fruits and vegetables.

By taking part in the Great Canadian Bumble Bee Count, you can help us learn more about bumble bees and their needs.

Canada’s first officially designated endangered bee, the Rusty-patched bumble bee was last seen in 2009 in Pinery Provincial Park near Grand Bend, Ontario. This is a grim situation for a once abundant bumble bee – nothing to celebrate as a first.

Early in 2019, scientists from York University reported their research on the American bumble bee (pictured) – a species once more commonly seen in Southern Ontario. The scientists say this bee is at risk of extinction and it’s currently not protected in any way despite the drastic decline. Scientists, Dr. Sheila Colla, Victoria McPhail and others, found that the American bumble bee’s area of occurrence has decreased by about 70 percent and its relative abundance fell by 89 percent from 2007-2016 compared to 1907-2006.