Iowans can catch the buzz and help out bumble bees

In 2025, Iowans showed a significant interest in bumble bee conservation, conducting over 500 surveys, tripling the previous year's efforts. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is now gearing up for July field days to train more volunteers in this citizen science initiative. This surge in participation is crucial as bumble bees face declining populations worldwide, highlighting the need for increased awareness and action. By getting involved, Iowans are playing a key role in monitoring and potentially reversing the troubling trend of bee population decline.