2018 ESA Annual Meeting (August 5 -- 10)

INS 5-9 - What's the buzz? Applied ecology engagement strategies using citizen science and bioblitzes as tools.

Tuesday, August 7, 2018
243, New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center
Gillian Bowser, Warner College of Natural Resources, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO and Sarah E. Whipple, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, Colorado State University Natural Resource Ecology Laboratory, Fort Collins, CO
Whats the buzz about bees? Native bees and other pollinators are declining globally. Yet despite the staggering economic footprint of pollinators, the general public has little knowledge of pollinators or the roles they play in food production. As pollinators occur everywhere from small urban backyard gardens to wilderness areas, bioblitzes are unique opportunities to engage different audiences in search for pollinators within local communities. Applied Ecology hosted 5 bioblitzes field trips with local partners during the annual conference. These field trips provided unique opportunities for ecologist to engage with community members while in the host city of the professional meeting.