About us

With over 700 species of native bees, the Sonoran Desert Region is predicted to be home to one of the greatest diversities of bee species in the world!  We need them, and in many cases, we don't even know their name.

The Tucson Bee Collaborative is a partnership effort to increase awareness of Tucson’s exceptional bee diversity, and to empower future scientists by engaging them in research activities. 

​Researchers, students, teachers, artists, photographers, and citizen scientists are working together to understand and monitor the health of native bees of the Sonoran Desert Region. Our partnerships cultivate awareness, understanding, and appreciation of biodiversity — one bee at a time.

​Documenting Biodiversity

We are enhancing the University of Arizona's Insect Collection by growing it to include at least one specimen of every bee species known from our region. Every species will be documented with high-resolution images and will be DNA barcoded; this information will be available online for researchers, students, and the general public.

​Enabling Research

We are providing tools for researchers and conservationists working in the Sonoran Desert Region to identify bee species in research and monitoring programs by providing molecular-genetic identification tools and high resolution photographs.

​Empowering Young Scientists

We are engaging future scientists at Pima Community College and local high schools in the collection of bees and the generation of genetic identification tools through course-based research experiences for undergraduates and high school students.

Promoting Awareness

We are inspiring wonder and appreciation of Sonoran Desert native bees by engaging with interested students, teachers, artists, and art programs. We are connecting with the community through presentations and exhibits at the Arizona Insect Festival, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, UA Insect Collection, and other venues.

in the news

Apr 03, 2018  Desert Diaries  The Little Known World of Urban Bees
Oct 16, 2019  UA News   The Desert is Abuzz with Bees
Oct 18, 2019  Arizona Daily Star  Bees are the buzzword this year at Insect Festival on UA campus
Oct 23, 2019  Daily Wildcat Arizona Insect Festival buzzin' with bees and more
Nov 20, 2019  Arizona Public Media's Arizona Spotlight How to ID a Bee.​
August 2020 Desert Museum Discovery What's the Buzz at the Desert Museum?
March 2021 DesertLeaf The Tucson Bee Collaborative: helping save Arizona's native bees.

If you are interested in joining the Tucson Bee Collaborative,
​please contact us!
​