Today, we’re highlighting a Bumble Bee Watch star, who has gone above and beyond in her contributions.
Bumble Bee Watch would not exist without the contributions of community scientists across North America—thank you! Every record from every volunteer adds to our knowledge and conservation efforts. Today, we’re highlighting a Bumble Bee Watch star, who has gone above and beyond in her contributions.
Ann Puddicombe, based in Dryden, Ontario, is among the top ten submitters in North America and top three in Ontario. She has contributed close to 500 records, including 13 species from 242 verified records. But that’s not all. Since 2016 Ann has been distributing Bumble Bee Watch information at local events with sales of her handmade paper that is seeded with native pollinator-friendly wildflower seeds locally sourced from the Ontario region.
A self-described bumble bee advocate, Ann has voluntarily given presentations on bumble bees to community groups, conducted her own independent bumble bee surveys, and advised local groups in creating pollinator habitat. She has even been interviewed by the CBC and other organizations, appearing on air, in podcasts, and in news articles!
Thanks to Ann’s advocacy, in 2018 a researcher from York University held a Bumble Bee Watch workshop in Northern Ontario, an area often not included in outreach efforts and with generally low participation in Bumble Bee Watch. After the workshop, Ann joined the researcher on a week-long survey effort.
Ann’s enthusiasm for bumble bees has also spread to Newfoundland, where she has family. There, Ann is also encouraging individuals in that province to take action for pollinators—including with an article she wrote for the Newfoundland and Labrador Beekeeper’s Association’s newsletter, The Buzz from Here, which generated media attention.
As a result of Ann’s actions, participation in Bumble Bee Watch has increased significantly, and our knowledge of bees throughout Northern Ontario and Newfoundland and Labrador. Her efforts also have undoubtedly led to an increase in pollinator-friendly habitat by those who have directly interacted with her, or encountered her efforts in the media.
Thank you for your dedication and passion for bumble bees, Ann!
Further Reading
Learn more about Bumble Bee Watch.
Read our recent post about the #Quest4BeeNests.
