In the rolling grasslands of Kamloops, British Columbia, a quiet revolution is underway—one that could reshape our understanding of pollinators and their role in the ecosystem. Researchers, conservationists, and volunteers have joined forces to launch the BC Bee Atlas, a first-of-its-kind initiative that’s working to document the native bee species across the province. It’s a massive undertaking, but one that could have long-lasting benefits for biodiversity, food systems, and the future of environmental conservation in Canada.
Why a bee atlas, and why now?
The project is being led by the Native Bee Society of British Columbia (NBSBC), a group passionate about pollinator conservation. While many people are familiar with honeybees, most don’t realise that there are over 450 native bee species in BC alone—many of which remain poorly understood. The BC Bee Atlas is designed to change that by creating a province-wide inventory of bee species and where they live.
The inspiration came from a similar effort in Oregon—the Oregon Bee Atlas—which proved that with proper training and community involvement, meaningful scientific data could be collected outside of traditional academic settings. According to the Oregon Bee Project, that effort led to major discoveries about bee populations and helped inform state-level conservation policies. BC’s version hopes to do the same, with its own unique twist.
The role of Kamloops and its unique ecosystem
Kamloops has quickly emerged as one of the core research zones for the BC Bee Atlas, and it’s easy to see why. The city sits in a transition zone between different ecological regions and contains the Lac du Bois Grasslands Protected Area, one of the richest examples of native grassland habitat left in the province. These grasslands are bursting with diverse wildflowers and native plant life—exactly the kind of environment where native bees thrive.
So far, researchers and volunteers have collected more than 5,400 bee specimens and observed bees visiting upwards of 341 different plant species. One of the most striking discoveries has been the identification of a new species of fairy bee (Perdita), a minuscule pollinator less than two millimetres in size that had never before been recorded in British Columbia. These bees are notoriously difficult to find due to their size and very specific floral preferences, but their presence confirms just how much we still don’t know about the province’s pollinators.
Empowering local communities to lead the charge
What sets the BC Bee Atlas apart from many scientific research efforts is its heavy reliance on citizen scientists. Through a series of workshops and field training sessions—some playfully referred to as “mini bee schools”—volunteers are taught how to identify, collect, and record data on local bee species. These volunteers, called Master Melittologists, form the backbone of the Atlas effort. Not only do they gather data, but they also serve as local advocates, helping raise awareness about pollinators in their own communities.
This kind of grassroots involvement has already shown promise. As Bonnie Zand, a board member of the NBSBC, told Castanet Kamloops, the Atlas has revealed just how much remains to be discovered: “Even for species we know occur in BC, we often don’t know exactly where they all occur.” That’s not just an academic gap—it has real-world implications for conservation and land-use planning.
Why bees matter more than most people realise
It’s easy to overlook bees, but their importance is hard to overstate. Pollinators are critical to both ecosystems and agriculture, supporting the reproduction of flowering plants, which in turn support entire food chains. Many crops—from berries and apples to squash and nuts—depend on bees for pollination. But while the European honeybee often gets the spotlight, native bees do a huge share of the work.
In fact, research from York University has shown that native bees are often more efficient pollinators than honeybees, especially when it comes to wild plants. However, native bees are under pressure from a combination of habitat destruction, pesticide use, disease, and climate change. By mapping where different species live, the BC Bee Atlas can help policymakers make informed decisions about how to protect these essential creatures.
Data that drives real change
One of the key goals of the Atlas is to provide reliable data that can inform conservation decisions, both locally and across the province. When you know which areas support the most diverse bee populations—or host rare or vulnerable species—it becomes much easier to direct resources and policy efforts where they’ll have the greatest impact. This includes everything from land preservation and habitat restoration to smarter pesticide regulation.
Moreover, the BC Bee Atlas complements initiatives like Bee City Canada, which has designated Kamloops as a Bee City in recognition of its work to protect pollinators. As more communities across British Columbia look for ways to support local ecosystems, the Atlas gives them a model—and a scientific foundation—for taking action.
Looking to the future
The long-term vision for the BC Bee Atlas is expansive. The NBSBC hopes to eventually expand coverage to every region of the province, including areas with limited existing data like the north and remote coastal zones. The project’s findings will also feed into larger national and international biodiversity databases, helping researchers track trends over time and understand how Canadian bees are faring on a global scale.
But there’s also a human dimension to all this. By involving people directly in the work of conservation, the Atlas fosters a deeper connection between residents and their local environment. That personal investment could prove vital as British Columbia, like much of the world, confronts growing environmental challenges.
If you’re curious to learn more or want to get involved, you can visit the Native Bee Society of British Columbia to see upcoming training events, research updates, and how to become a volunteer yourself.
This isn’t just about bees. It’s about how we choose to live alongside nature—and how much better the outcome can be when we pay attention to the small, buzzing life all around us.