Unique Bee Species Found In Prairie Remnant at Lexington Lake Park!

We are buzzing to share about a unique species found in the remnant prairie at Lexington Lake Park this fall! KC Wildlands staff (Ginger Werp) observed a male American Bumblebee feeding on Downy Gentian. Tom Schroeder, a long time KC Wildlands volunteer, identified the bee and has been trying to get a photo of this species feeding on gentian for over a decade. This is important since the American Bumblebee population has plummeted by 90% over the past 20 years. Finding this unique species in a prairie in a JCPRD park means the work we’re doing is providing food and refuge for this struggling species that has disappeared from several states.

The Parks and Recreation Foundation of Johnson County is proud to support JCPRD’s incredible Natural Resources Program through private fundraising efforts. You can support this vital work by making a gift to the Foundation here on our website and selecting Natural Resources as your designation.

Thank you to KC Wildlands (Bridging The Gap) for sharing this cool find and their continued work with our JCPRD Natural Resources team!