As the bee-watching season begins to wind down, I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the Ohio Bee Atlas since the project's inception in April. We have an impressive 2499 observations submitted to date by over 500 observers! Plans are underway to further develop the project next year by training and recruiting more observers (particularly from less-documented regions of the state), and emphasizing "first of the year" and "last of the year" observations to help illuminate bee (esp. bumble bee) phenology. We'd also like to encourage more Bee Blitz events across the state, perhaps with organizations sponsoring events during National Pollinators Week, June 17 to 23rd. More on these plans coming your way this winter.

Thanks again for participation in the Ohio Bee Atlas!

On the lookout,

Denise

Denise Ellsworth
OSU Entomology/OSU Bee Lab