Minnesota Bumble Bee
 Nest Quest

Bumble Bee Nest Quest is a public participation science project finding and describing bumble bee nests. Volunteers gather this vital data to help us refine bumble bee conservation plans. 

Bees in a ground nest.

Why bumble bee nests?

Bumble bees are charismatic and iconic pollinators, but little is known about their nesting habits. One in every three bumble bees is currently threatened or endangered and understanding more about where they nest can help scientists take conservation action.  

Person with a bug net in a field of tall grass.

Volunteers will need to attend a training workshop, choose a site, and visit this site for one hour every other week between late June and late August where they will wander through their plot to look for nests. Anyone is welcome to participate. 

Bumble bees in a ground nest.
Bumble Bee Nest Quest is supported by funding from the University of Minnesota College of Food Agriculture and Natural Sciences. The program is collaboratively run by UMN Extension and the UMN Department of Entomology's Bee Lab.