Completion Form

2022

Multiple native Utah insect pollinator species are being considered for listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The monarch butterfly was designated in 2020 as a candidate for protection under the ESA, and faces a follow-up listing decision in FY24. The Nokomis silverspot butterfly was proposed for a threatened listing in early 2022, and the western bumble bee faces an upcoming listing decision in FY24. Furthermore, the formal review process has begun for the recently petitioned Suckley's cuckoo bumble bee and American bumble bee. The need for current and widespread data for these species is immediate and necessary to inform such listing decisions by the US Fish & Wildlife Service. Community scientists and agency field biologists contributed voluntary observation data for occurrences of monarch, milkweed, and bumble bee species to improve understanding of distribution and needs of these species in Utah and potentially prevent the need for ESA listings.
 
This project continues last year's successful efforts with community scientists and took place throughout Utah, with additional concentration on the regions with outstanding data gaps. Between July 1st 2021 and June 30th 2022 we have trained and coordinated approximately 200 community science volunteers who have conducted more than 1,000 opportunistic and previously selected site surveys, reporting at least 171 monarchs at various life stages, 846 bumble bees representing 17 detected species (including 14 species collected as voucher specimens), and more than 20 potential monarch habitat sites were visited by volunteer stewards. Monarch butterfly sightings were reported by volunteers in 25 of Utah's 29 counties. Agency biologists who conducted volunteer bumble bee surveys visited 12 high priority sites in remote areas on public lands across Utah.
 
These data were recorded through the Utah Pollinator Pursuit collection form developed for this project in the Survey123 application and then incorporated into a statewide database managed by insect conservation coordinator, Amanda Barth, which has also been streamlined for incorporation into the Utah Natural Heritage Program and NatureServe databases. Bumble bee specimens collected by agency biologists were transferred to the arthropod collection at the Natural History of Utah, which serves as the State's repository of insect specimens and provides these digitally-accessible records to the public.

Tasks completed in FY22 include:
Volunteer recruitment, training, and engagement efforts remained virtual during 2021 and 2022, in response to ongoing COVID-19 safety recommendations. Sageland Collaborative (formerly Wild Utah Project) and USU created outreach materials, instructional videos, printable species identification guides, and live webinar and volunteer appreciation events that were accessible through the UPP project website and Sageland Collaborative's webpage and social media accounts.

Based on 2020 community science data, an additional 20+ stewardship sites were suggested for volunteer monarch habitat assessment efforts. Agency biologists were trained on-site at high priority habitat locations on BLM and USFS land, to demonstrate correct bumble bee survey protocols at locations designated by a western bumble bee habitat model developed by USGS.
 
The Utah Pollinator Pursuit data collection form on Survey123 was updated for accuracy and to facilitate submission of bumble bee survey data by agency biologists. Quality assurance and control was performed in part by the "science communication and resource monitoring intern" as an ESMF-funded extension of the Latino Heritage Internship Program; this intern spent most of their position conducting field surveys with our partner the National Parks Service (at Dinosaur National Monument) and assisted with late-season data processing for monarchs and bumble bees.
 
Monarch and bumble bee data collected through the 2021 field season were reported to the Western Monarch and Milkweed Mapper and Bumble Bee Watch (both managed by Xerces Society), as well as the Utah Natural Heritage Program database through Biotics. These current data will enable the generation of updated state conservation rankings.
 
The botany crew, led by native plant conservation coordinator Mindy Wheeler, continued to collect seed from native plant species to be distributed to local growers and used in future pollinator habitat restoration projects. One such project is the Utah Pollinator Habitat Program, which commenced its first year of applications on July 1, 2022, and received more than 360 applications for restoration projects seeking native pollinator-friendly plant materials.
 
Sageland Collaborative has maintained and updated the Utah Pollinator Pursuit website, including organizing content and facilitating public engagement and education. The site includes community resources, an events calendar, all training materials and species guides, and recommendations for landowners to create pollinator habitat. In addition, Sageland Collaborative sent 15 pollinator emails to 564 subscribers on the Pollinator list, with a 45-48% open rate. Of those 15 emails, 8 were newsletters/recruitment/larger emails, and 7 were training and event reminders.

Amanda Barth

09/08/2022 11:51:10