The mission of the Texas Native Bee Research Coordination Network is to unify and accelerate native bee research and conservation across Texas and its surrounding regions. By acting as a liaison between researchers, collections, conservation practitioners, and land managers, we aim to standardize and streamline the translation of monitoring data and research findings into feasible management practices and conservation priorities.
Who we are
We are a collaborative network that is passionate about native bee diversity and are comprised of professors, graduate students, professional entomologists, collections curators, conservation professionals, and federal and state wildlife biologists from across Texas and the surrounding region.
RCN Collaborators Page
RCN Goals & Activities
PHASE 1 – Identify network collaborators & opportunities for synergistic work
- Identify important network collaborators throughout the state and region.
- Hold monthly meetings to identify opportunities for collaboration and synergistic work.
- Create a database of collaborators.
PHASE 2 – Develop data standards & improve data sharing
- Develop and disseminate standardized protocols for cataloging and sharing occurrence data online to better inform conservation work across the state.
- Develop a standardized workflow for updating occurrence records using collections and publication-based data.
PHASE 3 – Work with State & Federal Agencies to inform conservation priorities
- Collaborate with state and federal agencies to inform priority taxa, geographic areas for research, and conservation/management recommendations.
- Work with collaborators to inform state SGCN lists (2025 update) and documents related to management recommendation for native pollinator habitat.
- Work with TPWD on a strategic data collection campaign for Bombus genus to move toward conservation ready status for this group.
PHASE 4 – Improve capacity through strategic educational opportunities
- Improve the capacity among researchers and community members in bee taxonomy, systematics, and habitat management throughout the state through strategic training and education programs.
PHASE 5 – Work with stakeholders to increase pollinator habitat across the state
- Improve collaboration with landowners and land managers throughout the state to execute conservation and management goals across private and public lands.