UMass Pollinators

The return of warmer seasons means ‘What’s in Bloom?’ is back! ☝️

🌸 Rhododendrons are a popular ornamental plant, including varieties in the ‘P.J.M’ group, but did you know Massachusetts is home to several native azalea species?

➡️ Swipe to learn more.


📸Nicole Bell/UMass Ext

Spring, summer, and fall ahead mean ‘What’s in Bloom?’ is back! ☝️

Rhododendrons are an incredibly popular ornamental plant in Massachusetts — popular varieties like ‘P.J.M.’ can still provide important resources to many native bees, but did you know we have several native rhododendrons in the state?

➡️ Swipe to learn more.


📸Nicole Bell/UMass Ext

Summer registration is OPEN! 😎🏖️🐝 From now through May 31, register online for the Pollinator Steward Certification.

➡️ Swipe to learn more about the program and professional credits available.

We are so excited to offer this small group, bumblebee identification workshop! 🐝

Led by 3 taxonomists and extension pollinator specialist Nicole Bell, we will cover population dynamics, conservation status, habitat associations, and beyond for New England’s bumblebees. 💐

Bee-yond that, students will get hands-on time under a microscope 🔬 and in the field! ☀️ We will learn how to identify bumblebee species, including color variations and males vs. females.

Just 12 spots are open — use the link in our bio to register, and email [email protected] with any questions.

Spring is (calendar-wise) just over a week away, though we’ve still got several weeks to go before blooms appear. Let’s get to know one of the plant groups we’ll see this spring!

There are several native dogwoods in Massachusetts, which provide critical early-season resources to spring bees.


📸Njcole Bell/UMass Ext

Bombus vagans, also known as the half-black bumblebee, has been documented in every county in Massachusetts.

This species is sometimes mistaken for B. perplexus or B. sandersoni.


📸 Michael Veit

💥 Registration for our NEW! New England Bee Identification Course is now open!

🐝 Through six, in-person, in-lab workshops, students will get hands-on experience with identifying specimens with the guidance of 3 taxonomist instructors.

➡️ This workshop is for anyone interested in learning field-level identification of New England bees.

Visit our website to learn more!
✉️ [email protected] with questions

Meet another Mass bumblebee — Bombus perplexus, the perplexing/confusing bumblebee! 🤨

Documented in every county in Massachusetts, this species is widespread in New England. It can be tricky to identify compared to some other species found in the area (B. vagans and B. sandersoni).

Look out for one this spring!


📸 Nicole Bell / UMass Ext

💐 Past graduates from the Pollinator Steward Certification program use their new knowledge in a variety of ways — planning a new habitat, advocating in their community for pollinator-friendly practices, simply seeing native plants and insects in a new light, and so much more!

💻 Curious about our program? Direct content related questions to Nicole Bell at [email protected]

💥 Registration open until Feb 28 or until we’re full!

Happy Monday! 🐝 Curious about the types of topics we cover in the Pollinator Steward Certification program lectures? 🤓

Registration is OPEN now through the end of February, or until we reach capacity. Visit the link in our bio to join our Spring 2026 cohort! 💐