Maine begins training citizens to gather bee data

ORONO, Maine (AP) - Maine is training citizens to help gather information about the range and abundance of the state’s bees.

The Maine Bumblebee Atlas project’s first training workshop was slated for Saturday at the University of Maine in Orono. The University of Maine at Orono and Farmington are coordinating the bee project.

Four bee species native to Maine have fallen from very common to rarely seen since the 1990s. State environmental officials say factors that may be contributing to declines include habitat loss, pesticides and parasites introduced through use of commercially raised bees.

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Online: https://mainebumblebeeatlas.umf.maine.edu/