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Welcoming a Rusty Patch

December 17, 2022
By CSA Sisters of St. Agnes

This article appears in the December Issue of Reflections and Connections

In early August, CSA recognized a new inhabitant on the motherhouse prairie: the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee. The Rusty Patched Bumble Bee, listed as Federally Endangered and State Special Concern, is extremely rare in Wisconsin, and is considered both state- and globally-imperiled. 

"This is a new location for Rusty Patch Bumble Bees in the state," said Jay Watson, a Wisconsin DNR Conservation Biologist. "Having the Ledge provides great nesting area in the woody zones and a wonderful mix of resources throughout all of the seasons in the prairies and wetlands close by." Both male and female bees have been identified on the property since the initial sighting. The closest other area where they are found regularly is Oakfield Ledge State Natural Area, more than 20 miles away, indicating that the group seen on CSA’s conservation easement is likely its own nest. 

The congregation will continue to partner with Glacial Lakes Conservancy and the DNR to be good stewards of the land that supports this and other species vital to the ecology of Earth.

Read the full issue of Reflections & Connections here.

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