Bumble Bees in the Field
May 30, 2026
9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
John Whittlesey
Payment and registration at the link below:
https://forms.gle/LbBAqkgJLzvAVxma7
Bumble bees (members of the genus Bombus) are a critical piece of many different natural landscapes and habitats – from seashores to mountain meadows over 10,000 ft. In this workshop we will learn about bumble bee morphology, their natural history, life cycles and how to identify common bumble bee species native to Butte County. This portion of the workshop will take place from 9:30 to 11:30 in the Ahart Herbarium in Holt Hall on the CSUC campus.
The afternoon session will include two site visits in the Butte Valley region just east of the Butte College main campus (Car Pooling encouraged). We will observe, identify, and learn more about our common bumble bees: their seasonal behaviors, their nesting requirements, and their favorite forage plants–native and non-native, and what can be done to encourage bumble bees in our home gardens. The bumble bees we will focus on identifying are the Yellow-faced, Van Dykes, the Black-Tailed, Bombus fervidus, and perhaps B. crotchii and the Insular Cuckoo Bumble bee, (B. insularis).
John Whittlesey has worn many hats, as a nurseryman, garden designer, landscape contractor and author (Plant Lover’s Guide to Salvias, Timber Press). He is now happily fully retired and spends much of his time observing and photographing bumble bees (and other pollinators) on our ten-acre paradise of blue oak woodland.
~ Workshop funds are used in support of the Ahart Herbarium at Chico State ~
Dates: Saturday, May 23, 2026
Schedule: In-Class Lecture: 9:30 am – 11:30 am
Travel to Field site/Lunch: 11:30am – 12:30pm
Field Instruction: 12:30pm – 2:00pm
Location: Chico State University, and nearby Butte Valley (Field portion, attendees are responsible for their own transportation, carpool if possible).
Advance registration required. Class size limited to 22 participants (Class cancelled and full refund returned without a minimum of 12 participants). If paying by check, we may not be able to confirm your reservation until the check is received.
Registration Fee Structure:
$120 = Non-Members
$100 = Members of the Friends of the Ahart Herbarium
$50 = Student/Hardship Intern (Two seats only)
What to bring: Bring a sack lunch (there will only be a short break before travelling to the field site), water and appropriate shoes and clothing for time in the field.
Deadline for registration is Monday, May 18, end of day
Registration Questions? (530) 898-5356
Workshop Questions? johnccnd@gmail.com
Register: Click this link https://forms.gle/XEEtRLjC3wR1FBkb6
or copy and paste this link into your internet browser to complete the online registration form
Payment by credit card (preferred) is NOT automatic. After registration review, a secure online payment link is manually generated. Payee will receive email from "Clover" with payment link within 3 business days of registration submission.
If you need additional assistance with workshop registration, please contact Sandra Scholten at sscholten@csuchico.edu or at the Biology office (530)898-5356.
You will receive more information on workshop logistics closer to the date of the workshop!