Module 5: Connecting People and Pollinators Through Nesting Data — Project Ground-Nesting Bee (GNBee)

This module introduces key concepts in ground-nesting bee research, conservation, and applied management. Participants will learn how to use iNaturalist, a free, user-friendly tool for documenting biodiversity, and how to contribute high-quality observations that advance our understanding of bee nesting biology. This session is especially valuable for growers, extension professionals, and crop consultants interested in assessing the local diversity, abundance, and nesting proximity of wild pollinators. We will highlight how farmers and land managers can benefit from identifying nesting aggregations to better evaluate their pollination sources and services, ultimately strengthening pollination strategies. Through this effort, agricultural service providers and landowners will gain access to real-time taxonomic expertise and receive training in generating scientifically valuable data that supports the discovery and documentation of ground-nesting bee populations. By participating in this community science initiative, contributors play a critical role in advancing pollinator research, informing conservation practices, and supporting sustainable pollination across working landscapes.