Bumble Bee Identification and Conservation Walk - Grant County
Saturday, August 1, 2026 | 9:00–11:00 a.m.
Discover the fascinating world of Wisconsin’s native bumble bees during this guided field experience led by Steve and Susan Carpenter on their protected Driftless Area property. Wisconsin is home to 20 species of bumble bees, including the federally endangered rusty patched bumblebee. Participants will learn about bumble bee life history, conservation needs, and field identification while exploring blooming summer flowers and discussing practical monitoring techniques.
(PHOTO ABOVE: Rusty patched male bumblebee by Dan Jackson.)
The walk will take place on approximately 100 acres of prairie, stream, and bluff habitat protected through a conservation easement with Mississippi Valley Conservancy. Susan Carpenter, Wisconsin Native Plant Garden Curator at the UW Arboretum, and Steve Carpenter, professor emeritus and former director of the UW–Madison Center for Limnology, have dedicated years to understanding, restoring, and caring for natural systems. Their conservation work reflects a shared commitment to protecting the health and resilience of Wisconsin’s landscapes and wildlife.
As a regional land trust, the Conservancy works with landowners and communities to permanently protect the bluffs, prairies, forests, wetlands, streams, and farms that enrich the Driftless Area. We are deeply grateful to Steve and Susan Carpenter for generously opening their beautiful protected property for this educational event and for sharing their expertise and passion for conservation.
Event Details:
• Free program; registration required at MississippiValleyConservancy.org
• Participation limited to 20 people
• Specific directions will be sent after registration
• Please bring a camera and/or binoculars
• Wear weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes or boots; hat and sunscreen recommended
• No dogs, please
• No restroom facilities on site; a service station is located three miles south at Hwy 18 and Hwy I
• Walking route will follow mowed lanes and short vegetation over mostly level but occasionally uneven terrain; plan to walk 1–2 miles while visiting flower patches
SIGN UP
ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED for this FREE event by July 25th on the events page. Questions? Contact Karen Solverson at [email protected] or call 608-784-3606 ext. 8.
This event is part of the Conservancy’s 2026 “Linked to the Land” series of outdoor experiences on the many nature preserves it protects for wildlife habitat, scenic beauty, outdoor learning and recreation in the Driftless Area. The program is supported by the generous donations of our members and the in-kind support of WXOW News19.