The Rhode Island Bumblebee Survey: A community science effort to document the distribution and status of Rhode Island bumblebees

The Rhode Island Bumblebee Survey (RIBS) is a two-year (2023-2024) statewide, community science project coordinated by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Division of Fish and Wildlife (RIDEM DFW). The survey was designed as part of the Rhode Island Pollinator Atlas, an effort to inventory the state’s pollinators, specifically bees (Apoidea), moths and butterflies (Lepidoptera), and syrphid flies (Syrphidae). The aims of RIBS are to assess the status and distribution of Rhode Island’s bumblebee (Bombus spp.) and Eastern Carpenter Bee (Xylocopa virginica) populations, as well as the floral species and habitats associated with these species. Though Rhode Island is historically home to 12 species of bumblebee, preliminary surveys undertaken at the University of Rhode Island (2014-2021) revealed that almost half of these species may no longer be detectable in the state. Therefore, it is more important than ever to monitor these species and determine which habitats need to be protected to support and promote current and future bumblebee populations. To achieve these goals, RIDEM DFW trained community scientists to conduct monthly (April - October) surveys statewide using standardized data-collection methods. In 2022, RIDEM DFW piloted the RIBS project with 11 community scientists at 14 survey sites, documenting over 1,200 observations of six Bombus species and X. virginica. These data have already been used to inform management strategies to improve and augment bumblebee habitats in Rhode Island state management areas. As of April 2023, the project is open to the public and data collection by community scientists is underway.