BUMBLE BEES PLAY A VITAL ROLE IN POLLINATING WILD PLANTS AND FOOD CROPS, BUT THEY ARE DECLINING GLOBALLY. THESE DECLINES ARE CAUSED BY A MIX OF THREATS, INCLUDING URBANIZATION, AGRICULTURAL INTENSIFICATION, AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS. LITTLE RESEARCH HAS INVESTIGATED HOW THESE STRESSORS INTERACT TO ALTER WHERE BUMBLE BEES RANGE, WHAT HABITATS THEY USE, AND HOW SUITABLE THOSE HABITATS ARE FOR THEIR SURVIVAL. THREATENED AND ENDANGERED SPECIES, LIKE THE YELLOW-BANDED AND RUSTY PATCHED BUMBLE BEES, ARE ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE TO THESE STRESSORS. IN THIS PROJECT, I WILL EVALUATE HOW WEATHER AND CHANGES IN LAND USE TOGETHER INFLUENCE YELLOW-BANDED AND RUSTY PATCHED BUMBLE BEES. I WILL STUDY WHERE THESE BEES ARE FOUND, IDENTIFY FAVORABLE HABITATS, AND CARRY OUT FIELD SURVEYS IN AREAS THAT SEEM MOST PROMISING FOR THESE TWO AT-RISK SPECIES. THEGOAL IS TO BETTER UNDERSTAND THE MAIN PRESSURES DRIVING THEIR DECLINES AND IDENTIFY POTENTIAL LOCATIONS WHERE WE COULD REINTRODUCE BEES RAISED IN THE LAB TO HELP REBUILD AND SUPPORT POPULATIONS. THIS WORK WILL INCREASE KNOWLEDGE TOINFORM LAND MANAGEMENT, PROTECT POLLINATORS, AND SUPPORT HEALTHY FOOD PRODUCTION.