USGS Scientist to Help Develop Bumble Bee Conservation and Research Strategy

USGS Core Science Systems scientist and manager of the Pollinators Project of the National Biological Information Infrastructure program, Elizabeth Sellers, will participate in an invitation-only IUCN North American Bumble Bee Species Conservation Strategy workshop in St. Louis, MO, on November 9-12, 2010. Bumble bees are among the most important wild pollinators in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. The population declines that have been noted in several species of formerly common North American bumble bees underscore the need to develop a coordinated conservation and research strategy. Facilitated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, the main goal of the workshop is to develop a comprehensive strategy that will direct future research and conservation work on imperiled North American bumble bees.

(Photo: Bumblebee (Bombus sp.) on a dame's rocket flower.  Credit: Elizabeth A. Sellers /life.nbii.gov)