Native Bee Watch Community Science Program
Engaging Coloradans in research and education to support pollinator conservation.
Help support native bees and biodiversity in Colorado
Native Bee Watch is a community science biodiversity monitoring project that began in 2016 at Colorado State University. The project has since evolved into a statewide program overseen by CSU Extension.
Did you know Colorado is home to more than 1,000 different bee species? With this incredible diversity, we want to learn more about bees and the plants they are pollinating. Project goals include:
- Educate Coloradans on the importance of native bees, pollinators, and biodiversity in our landscapes
- Contribute to research in ecology, adult learning, and computer science/AI technology
With this work, we hope to create a ripple effect from awareness to action that supports pollinator conservation across the state and beyond.
Volunteer registration is open!
Please note: Registration is a two-step process. Fill out the registration form and then you will be prompted to register for a Zoom link (live training) either on May 6th from 6-8pm or May 12th from 10-12pm. The training will be recorded for those that are unable to attend. To receive a recording, please fill out the registration form.
Why monitor bees?
Pollinators are responsible for one-third of the human diet including vegetables, fruits, and nuts – the most nutritious part of our diet. Over 75% of plants on earth need pollinators to reproduce. Due to a variety of factors like habitat loss, pollinator populations are declining. Pollinator conservation takes locally based solutions and dedication from the community.
We chose to make Native Bee Watch a community science program so that the community can be involved in research. Volunteers learn about bee biology and identification, and become an steward for pollinators and the environment.
Ready to get involved?
Requirements to participate:
- Train – Participants must attend a two-hour virtual training session or watch a recorded training session.
- Live trainings are held each May. Register for the 2026 season or subscribe to stay informed about registration and future training opportunities.
- Not sure you want to volunteer? Take the training to learn more about bees and then decide about volunteering.
- Volunteer – We depend on our volunteers to get data! You must be willing to submit data at a minimum of twice a month from June through August.
No prior skills needed. All training on how to monitor bees will be provided. Bee monitoring data can be collected in your own backyard! Checkout the Bee Information & Resources section of this page for a jump start on training.
The social media toolkit has resources for you to share your involvement with Native Bee Watch on your social media platforms. Tell your family and friends why you are volunteering for Native Bee Watch!
Stay up to date with the program
Join our email list to get notified about future training opportunities, events, and more.
Note: Please add the following emails on your “safe senders” list:
lisa.mason@colostate.edu and nativebeewatch@gmail.com
Bee Information & Resources
We believe that building awareness surrounding native pollinators and native pollinator friendly plants is critical! Please take time to learn more and share this information with your family, friends and neighbors.
Native Bee Watch Field Guides
- Native Bee Watch: A Colorado Citizen Science Field Guide
- A Beginner’s Field Guide to Identifying Bees
Extension Fact Sheets and Relevant Publications
- Creating Pollinator Habitat
- Attracting Native Bees to Your Landscape
- Attracting Butterflies to the Garden
- Building and Managing Bee Hotels for Wild Bees
- The Bumble Bees of Colorado: A Pictorial Identification and Information Guide
- The Bees of Colorado
- Solitary Bee Hotels
Native Plant and Waterwise Resources
Blog Posts on Pollinators
Check out the CO-Horts Blog for information on pollinators and other important topics written by your CSU Extension Horticulture Staff from around the state. Here are some recent posts on pollinators:
- Let’s Celebrate Pollinators Every Week
- Buzzing Research on Pollinator Conservation
- Plant Native Plants to Support Native Bees
- BEE Thankful for Pollinators
- Where Do Bees Go in Winter
- The Buzz on Bees and Wasps
- The Fascinating Lives of Butterflies
- What is a Pollinator Syndrome?
- Your Pollinator Book List: Ideas to Read
Research & Projects
- 2022 – 2025: Interactive data dashboard
- 2023: Community Science Online: Building Capacity for Native Bee Monitoring
- 2022: A Beginner’s Field Guide to Identifying Bees
- 2021: Interactive data dashboard
- 2020: Native Bee Watch Undergraduate Internship – Sarah Viders poster presentation, CSU Source story and Sarah’s Sustainability Secrets video series
- 2019: Assessing the efficacy of citizen scientists monitoring native bees in urban areas
- 2018: Native Bee Watch: A Colorado Citizen Science Field Guide
For School Teachers
Bring native bee education into your classroom! Bee Please! STEM Kits available to check out for FREE! Activities utilize community science data collected through Native Bee Watch. Learn more about STEM kits available for check out at the CSU’s Education and Outreach Center.
News & Media
- Meet CSU Extension and NBW intern, Nancy Bartholomew (video)
- CSU Extension interns and educators conduct innovative research to protect native pollinators
- What’s All The Buzz Around Native Bee Watch?!
- NSF grant bolsters community science, novel AI and pollinator conservation
- CSU graduate students sweep awards on adult education and training conference with research on how learning sticks
- Colorado bill aims to save bee populations by restricting pesticide use
- 4 Unexpected Places Where Adults Can Learn Science
- From Plants To Pesticides, Answering More Colorado Wonders Questions About Pollinators
- Have You Noticed Fewer Bees in Colorado This Year? You’re Not Alone
- What’s the buzz? Count and conserve bees in your community with Native Bee Watch
- Virtual internship inspires creativity and resilience
- How we can help bees thrive, and why we should
- How to create a bee-friendly garden in Denver to support Colorado’s more than 900 native species
- Native Bees – kHEN 106.9 Free Range Radio, Salida, CO
Social Media Toolkit
Help promote this program with social media assets, including graphics, customizable posts, bee facts, and more.
Media Inquiries
Contact Lisa Mason at lisa.mason@colostate.edu or (303) 738-7966.