At the Public Lands Alliance, we proudly celebrate the remarkable contributions of our member organizations. Today, we’re excited to shine the spotlight on Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, a long-standing partner in protecting and enhancing the Bay Area's natural and cultural treasures. Recently, their collaborative efforts led to the rediscovery of a rare pollinator, the San Francisco leaf-cutter bee (Trachusa gummifera), which had not been seen since 1980.
Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy played a vital role in this incredible discovery in partnership with the National Park Service, California State Parks, Marin Water, and Marin County Parks through the One Tam initiative. One Tam’s Tamalpais Bee Lab, a community science program managed by the Conservancy, found T. gummifera on public lands in Marin County, marking the first documented sighting of this species in nearly 45 years.
This discovery is significant for the region and conservation efforts at large. The San Francisco leaf-cutter bee, endemic to the Bay Area, is a species that plays a crucial role in pollinating local plants and maintaining the health of its ecosystem. Pollinators like this bee are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, environmental changes, and declining biodiversity, making their rediscovery even more critical.
The success of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy in leading this effort reflects its deep commitment to preserving the region's natural heritage. The Conservancy’s Tamalpais Bee Lab, which initiated a comprehensive bee survey of the Mt. Tamalpais region between 2017 and 2022, had not initially detected T. gummifera. However, in 2023, with renewed determination and a broader focus on community engagement, they organized a dedicated search party, enlisting the help of local citizen scientists to join in the hunt for this elusive species.
This discovery is a significant win for biodiversity and a source of hope when pollinator populations face substantial global threats. Pollinators are essential to our ecosystems and agriculture, and the rediscovery of T. gummifera brings attention to the vital conservation work done by Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and its partners.
The next steps for the Conservancy and the One Tam partnership involve securing the necessary permits from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) to continue studying this rare bee. This will help researchers better understand its behavior, habitat, and the broader ecological role it plays in the Bay Area.
At the Public Lands Alliance, we are continually inspired by the work of Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy and their leadership in driving conservation through community collaboration. Their efforts to rediscover and protect endangered species like the San Francisco leaf-cutter bee showcase the profound impact that engaged partnerships can have on safeguarding our public lands for future generations.