Utah Pollinator Pursuit - August Highlights
Happy September, Pollinator Pals!
This summer has been a scorcher, and August was no exception! While the occasional rolling storm brought momentary relief, the heat of summer was relentless. However, this did not stop our amazing community of pollinator enthusiasts from getting out and logging observations across the state!
This August, community scientists logged an incredible 1,923 pollinator observations across the state! Our top species include the Brown-belted Bumble bee (129), Hunt’s Bumble bee (101), and Monarch Butterfly (74). Some of our favorite observations from this month include this Sagebrush Sheep Month shared by @ramblinghemlock; this pollen-coated Western Bumble Bee logged by @alexanimalphotos; @wendybirds’ Spiny Tachina Fly; and this great shot of a Vicery (a Monarch Butterfly mimic) by @calebstroh.
Our top observers of the month are:
- Klaus Bielefeldt - 378 observations across 34 species,
- Robb Hannawacker - 81 observations across 41 species, and
- @studiopika - 74 observations across 26 species.
Our top identifies of the month are:
- Amanda Barth - 261 IDs,
- @knarc - 104 IDs, and
- @kyriforman - 101 IDs.
Thank you so much to everyone across the state who has taken the time to observe pollinators and to share those observations with the community! 380 people made at least 1 observation that helps support the conservation of our beloved pollinators this month - thank you!
If you’re interested in getting involved in hands-on restoration work to support pollinators, you can join us for an upcoming Pollinator Planting Day!
- Friday, 9/20: Weber Headwaters Workshop at G&E Ranch near Coalville, UT - Lunch Provided
- Saturday, 9/21: Arroyos y Raíces para Polinizadores at the Galena Soónkahni Nature Preserve, 10am-3pm - Lunch Provided
- Tuesday, 9/24: McLeod Creek Stream Cleanup & Planting in Kimball Junction, UT, 9:30am-11:30am
These planting days are made possible with native seedlings awarded to Sageland Collaborative and partners through the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program - thank you to all of the non-profit, university, and agency partners who dedicate their time to pollinator conservation and habitat restoration.
To stay up to date on ways to get involved, be sure to sign up for our monthly newsletter, or follow along on social media (@utahpollinatorpursuit, @sagelandcollab).
Happy Pollinator Pursuing!
The Utah Pollinator Pursuit Team
Utah Pollinator Pursuit is a cooperative project between Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, Sageland Collaborative, and Utah State University. Learn more and find volunteer resources and additional opportunities to get involved at utahpollinatorpursuit.org or on the project page at sagelandcollaborative.org/plants-pollinators.
