Investing in the Future of Our Planet, one bee at a time

“If the bee disappeared off the surface of the globe, then man would have only four years of life left.  No more bees, no more pollination, no more plants, no more animals, no more man.”   - quote often attributed to Albert Einstein  

Bombus sonorus

Photo by Chris Mallory

Triepeolus kathrynae

Photo by Narca Moore-Craig

Centris pallida

Photo by Dan Papaj

OUR GOAL

Tucson Bee Collaborative recognizes that we need native bees and yet our region's bees are largely unknown and under-appreciated.

Together, we're changing that. 

Join us as we work to reveal the hidden world of native bees.
​

photo by Bruce D. Taubert

First Let's

Discover

Who are they?
​

We are building an expertly identified collection of native bees, with high resolution images and DNA sequence data tied to each specimen.

Where are they?
​

We are determining the distribution of native bee species by digitizing our research collection.
​​

When are they active?

​We are tracking the activity patterns of native bee species in both
​time and space.

TheN We Can

Conserve

How are they doing?
​

We are establishing a baseline for their abundance and diversity that will allow us to track future changes.
​

What do they need?
​

We are investigating factors that promote healthy  populations, including food and nesting habitat requirements.
​

Why should we care?

"If all bees died out, there would be worldwide food shortages and perhaps one-quarter of the human population would starve."
Laurence Packer, PhD

                                                      

IT'S UP TO US

Change

Become Aware
​

​​We are working to combat
​Nature Deficit Disorder
​that is rampant in many regions of the world.
​​

Inspire Others
​

We are inspiring wonder and appreciation of our native bees by engaging with interested artists and art programs. 
​

Take Action
​

​Help us with our quest by becoming involved as a student, researcher, citizen scientists and/or by helping to fund our efforts.