MacGregor Park Leads the Way

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The Bumble Bee Monitoring Program was introduced to MacGregor Point Park in 2025 when we launched a train-the-trainer program. This year, 2026, will be the kick-off of public participation with bumble bee identification. There are two training sessions for the public on June 18th and 27th from 10:00-3:00 PM. The monitoring season will run from June to September. It will be exciting to learn about the bumble bee community at MacGregor Point Provincial Park. 

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Why Monitor Bumble Bees?

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The threat to bumble bee populations continues to grow and it is becoming more difficult to monitor the populations of each species. Wildlife Preservation Canada (WPC) is implementing volunteer support programs to help them with fill knowledge gaps and expand the geographic area included in their research. These citizen science supporters will be contributing valuable data on how bumble bee populations throughout Ontario are doing.

In 2026, WPC's Native Pollinator Initiative and MacGregor Point Provincial Park are piloting a collaborative bumble bee monitoring program in the park. Community scientists will be involved in bumble bee conservation by learning the survey techniques that are used by professional researchers. These Citizen Scientists will learn the community science platform Bumble Bee Watch, and will be  encouraged to find, monitor and report sightings of rare and declining bumble bee species. MacGregor Point Provincial Park is situated within the historic range of the endangered Rusty-patched Bumble Bee (Bombus affinis; was last sighted in Canada in 2009). It will be exciting to note what the program participants will spot.

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How Can I Participate?

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To become involved, individuals need to participate in a one day training event and then participants come to the park on their own, pick up equipment at the gatehouse then head out to the identified survey routes in the park. Maps will be provided and each participant will catch, take pictures and then release the bumble bees. The information is submitted through the Bumble Watch App.​

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