1. iNATURALIST SURVEY - STILL A LOT OF NAMES NOT REGISTERED
A fair number of you are iNaturalist users who have not completed the following survey. It takes less than 5 min to complete. Without this information we will not be able to process your labels. Please fill it out this week: https://www.oregonbeeproject.org/inaturalistsurvey
2. GET PERMISSION FOR COLLECTING
With the weather warming many of you will be heading for the hills to collect bees. Fantastic! Just a reminder that you need permission to collect on private land, and much public land. Permission for places like federal lands should be in writing from the person with the authority to grant permission. Sometimes, it comes in the form of an email - as Lori Humphreys recently did when asking to survey on BLM land in Lane County. Other times you will need a permit. Attached here is a short description of what the Atlas is about to help you gain permission.
3. TRAINING VIDEO: CHECKING RECORDS
4. BEE SCHOOL REGISTRATION IS OPEN
Bee School is a taxonomy course that goes well above anything you learn in our basic training. Identification of bees is not essential for volunteers in the Atlas, but for many it is a fascinating and wonderful rabbit hole to travel down. We are taking applications, from these applications we will begin selecting people (starting on May 15, based on your location and whether you are functioning as a team lead or not). https://www.oregonbeeproject.org/beeschool2019
5. LINC’S PLANT HITLIST - SPECIAL OPERATIONS
We want you to find some cool bees this summer. Below are some plants and regions where lead Atlas Taxonomist Lincoln Best thinks you’ll find them.
5. WHAT YOU MISSED ON FACEBOOK
Portland team selfie
Lori Humphrey’s amazing collection on arbutus. Collecting on native trees and shrubs can often lead to some amazingly diverse catches.
The Columbia County is ready to catch some spring bees.
Mandy Shaw with a great image of a Nomada female with its sting fully extended. These bees have been particularly abundant hovering above Andrena nests. Nomada species commonly parasitize Andrena.
Max Havlik’s collection is featured in this week’s training video. Its also a great example of how its getting easier and easier to catch bees as the season advances!!!!