Conservation Dogs Collective

Field Report: A Week of Bumble Bees & Big Surprises 🐾

Hi friends, it's Ernie & Betty White checking in from a BIG week in the field!

Betty White confirmed two active bumble bee nests — a brown-belted and a two-spotted — at a very satisfying treat-earning rate. Ernie found a predated turtle shell (not a live turtle, but a find is a find, and yes he was rewarded). And then... the plot twist nobody saw coming: Ernie sniffed out a MATING PAIR of black-and-gold bumble bees — a "thing" nobody ever specifically trained us on, and a behavior that typically isn't seen until late July at the earliest. Laura made a lot of sounds. It was a whole thing.

Betty White also ate a significant quantity of prairie grass and has no notes on that decision. The universe received it back at 3:45AM on Sunday morning. Nothing gets humans out of bed faster than the glugging noise of impending vomit.

Want the full story — including video of Ernie's big find? Head over to Ernie & Betty White's Patreon family for exclusive field footage! 🎥🐝

👉 patreon.com/conservationdogscollective

🐝👃 Finders Ernie & Betty White have official sniffed their way through the first week of bumble bee nest surveys!

Bumble bee nests are notoriously hard for humans to find (they’re often hidden underground in rodent burrow systems, under leaf litter, or tucked into grassy tussocks) — which is exactly where Ernie & Betty White come in handy.

A few fun facts to buzz about 🐝:
🔹 A single bumble bee colony can have anywhere from 50 to 500 bees, produced by a single queen bee.
🔹 Unlike honey bees, bumble bee colonies only last one season — every nest the dogs find is a brand-new one each year!
🔹 Bumble bees can fly in cooler, cloudier weather than most other bees, making them some of the first pollinators out in spring.
🔹 Some bumble bee species, like the rusty patched bumble bee, are federally endangered — so every nest located adds real data to their protection.

Huge thanks to our amazing field partners for getting this season underway with us and for the never ending support of our community and Patreon family!

🐾 SWEET # SEVEN 🎂

Happy 7th birthday to the fuzzy black pocket rocket, Betty White! Since arriving home as a wee little 8-week-old pup, Betty White has been working hard on being a best friend to conservation. During her career, she's been trained to located bumble bee nests, 2 different species of turtles, and the invasive New Zealand mudsnail. She's traveled across states for her work and shown of her sniffy and social skills at various educational events to promote the incredible assets detection dogs provide for conservation programs.

She's smart, she's sassy, and she's talkative, but takes her sniffing very seriously. She's spending her day doing exactly what she wants—scent work training, playing with the garden hose, getting special snacks, and curling up into the squishiest, cushiest spots in the house.

Drop a birthday wish for Betty White in the comments! And if you want to give Betty White a special treat for her birthday, consider joining her and her brother's Patreon family. Your support will keep her fueled this summer as we get out in the field sniffing out bumble bee nests. 👉 https://www.patreon.com/conservationdogscollective

Photo by Anne Readel.

Ernie’s functional behavior repertoire is quite something. During his conditioning appointment today, his therapist stepped out of the room for a moment to get him some water, and Ernie - on his own - put himself on the front and rear foot targets. What a smart boy!

🐢 Turtle sniffing is underway and the dogs’ faces explain everything. They. Are. Very. Happy!!