08/27/2026
Four bumble bee species, Crotchโs bumble bee (๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ด ๐ค๐ณ๐ฐ๐ต๐ค๐ฉ๐ช๐ช), Franklinโs bumble bee (๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ด ๐ง๐ณ๐ข๐ฏ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ช๐ฏ๐ช), western bumble bee (๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ด ๐ฐ๐ค๐ค๐ช๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ต๐ข๐ญ๐ช๐ด), and Suckleyโs cuckoo bumble bee (๐๐ฐ๐ฎ๐ฃ๐ถ๐ด ๐ด๐ถ๐ค๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฆ๐บ๐ช), are candidates for listing under the California Endangered Species Act and receive the same take protections as listed species during candidacy. New non-regulatory guidance from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife summarizes the speciesโ ecology and life histories, and provides recommendations for habitat assessment, surveys, impact avoidance and minimization at various stages of the life cycle, and best management practices for common project activities.
When suitable habitat is present, project proponents should consider whether take authorization may be needed, even if candidate bumble bees are not detected during surveys. Early evaluation of habitat and potential impacts can help project proponents and land managers incorporate feasible avoidance measures into project designs and determine whether surveys and/or take authorization may be needed.
Read the full article, linked in the comments, to see what the new guidance recommends for habitat evaluation, survey timing, and avoidance measures.
