There are considerations for participating in the program if you live outside Oregon.
1. Specimens collected through the Apprentice level can be submitted to the Atlases in Oregon, Washington, New Mexico, Idaho or British Columbia. You can contact those regional coordinators for information about the submission process. If you live outside those locations, not to worry. While your bees may not presently go towards an Atlas, the training gives you the tools needed to create a private native bee collection along with an accompanying specimen database. Properly prepared bees that are databased can readily be integrated into a natural history museum for long-term preservation. Consequently, museums in many states and provinces will welcome your collection and it may serve as the basis for the creation of an Atlas in the future.
2. ONLINE MENTOR SESSIONS (SUBSTITUTION FOR IN-PERSON TRAINING): We strongly encourage you to take in-person field and microscope trainings (there really is no substitute for working through practical tasks of melittology with a trained instructor!). For individuals unable to attend in-person events, virtual sessions will be offered providing students with alternative instruction. Led by staff members, these events will rely on laboratory and field event checklists to ensure all students minimally review key foundational skills. The Calendar of Events in Canvas will indicate available dates and times.
Please note that student manuals, supply kits, and certificates can only be mailed to addresses within the United States and Canada.
Contact us if you have additional questions.