FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Cheryl Schultz, associate professor of biological sciences, Washington State University Vancouver, WA (503) 307-5807, schultzc@wsu.edu Elizabeth Crone, professor of biology, Tufts University, Medford, MA, (406) 531-3498, elizabeth.crone@tufts.edu Sarina Jepsen, endangered species program director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Portland, OR, (971) 244-3727, sarina.jepsen@xerces.org Monarch butterflies disappearing from western North America Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Matthew Shepherd, Communications Director; (503) 807-1577, matthew.shepherd@xerces.org Bee Better Certified Offers a New Approach to Protecting Pollinators New Farm and food certification program gives recognition to conservation-minded farmers and food companies that protect pollinators PORTLAND, Ore., June 20, 2017—A new certification program enables farmers to show consumers they are farming in Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Rich Hatfield, senior conservation biologist; (503) 232-6639 ext. 115, rich.hatfield@xerces.org Scott Hoffman Black, executive director; (503) 449-3792, scott.black@xerces.org An Historic Day: Protection for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee First bee in the continental United States to become an endangered species Today, protection of the rusty patched bumble bee under the Endangered Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Candace Fallon, Senior Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; (503) 232-6639, ext. 118, candace.fallon@xerces.org. Beth Waterbury, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game; (208) 756-2271, ext. 245, beth.waterbury@idfg.idaho.gov. Ann Potter, Conservation Biologist – Insect Specialist, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; (360) 902-2496, ann.potter@dfw.wa.gov. New Western Monarch and Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Emma Pelton, Conservation Biologist, Endangered Species Program, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, (503) 232-6639, ext. 102, emma.pelton@xerces.org Sarina Jepsen, Director of Endangered Species Program, Xerces; (971) 244-3727; sarina@xerces.org Number of Monarchs Overwintering in California Remains Low Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count results show that key sites had fewer butterflies than last Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Director of Endangered Species Program, Xerces; (971) 244-3727; sarina@xerces.org Rich Hatfield, Senior Conservation Biologist, Xerces; (503) 468-8405; rich@xerces.org Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Protected as an Endangered Species First bee in the continental U.S. is listed under the Endangered Species Act PORTLAND, Ore., January 10, 2017—Responding to a petition from Read more …

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Mollie Wulff, General Mills; (763) 764-6340 ; mollie.wulff@genmills.com Kaveh Sadeghzadeh, NRCS; (202) 720-2182; Kaveh.sadeghzadeh@wdc.usda.gov Scott Black, Xerces Society, (503) 449-3792, scott.black@xerces.org   General Mills, NRCS and the Xerces Society Announce Multi-Year, $4 Million Investment in Pollinator Habitat Organizations share commitment to help pollinators prosper WASHINGTON, D.C., November 30, 2016—General Mills, the Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Rich Hatfield, Senior Conservation Biologist, Xerces; (503) 468-8405; rich@xerces.org Sarina Jepsen, Director of Endangered Species Program, Xerces; (971) 244-3727; sarina@xerces.org Margie Kelly, Communications Manager, Natural Resources Defense Council, 312-651-7935, mkelly@nrdc.org   US Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Rusty Patched Bumble Bee for Endangered Species Act Protection PORTLAND, Ore.— Responding to a Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; (971) 244-3727, sarina@xerces.org Emma Pelton, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; (503) 232-6639 ext. 102, emma.pelton@xerces.org New Report Documents a 74% Decline in the Number of Monarch Butterflies Overwintering in Coastal California The Xerces Society prioritizes the top Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, 971-244-3727, sarina@xerces.org Clay Bolt, Natural History Photographer, 864-385-4616, cbnatphoto@gmail.com A Ghost In the Making: Searching for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Nationwide release of a revealing film about the decline of a once common pollinator Portland, OR – Today, Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Mark Gamba: Mayor of Milwaukie, Oregon, gambam@milwaukieoregon.gov, 971-404-5274 Aimee Code: Pesticide Program Director, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation;aimee@xerces.org, 541 232-9767   City of Milwaukie, Ore., Protects Pollinators from Pesticide Milwaukie, Ore., joins more than 20 cities across the United States by passing a resolution to protect pollinators from highly toxic insecticides   PORTLAND, Ore., Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, (503) 449-3792, sblack@xerces.org Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, (971) 244-3727, sarina@xerces.org Monarch Numbers Up, But Still a Long Journey to Recovery Favorable weather boosts population but numbers remain relatively low PORTLAND, Ore., February 26, 2016 — The latest count of monarch butterflies overwintering in Mexico Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, (971) 244-3727, sarina@xerces.org Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, (503) 449-3792, sblack@xerces.org Assessment of Western Monarch Butterfly Winter Population Completed More monarchs reported in Northern California this year, but monarchs are not yet recovered PORTLAND, Ore., February 4, 2016 — Results from a survey of monarch Read more …

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, (971) 244-3727, sarina@xerces.org Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, (503) 449-3792, sblack@xerces.org Early data from Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count suggests a small increase in butterfly numbers in some parts of the overwintering range Populations of monarch butterflies are still far below historic numbers PORTLAND, Ore., December Read more …

For Immediate Release Contact: Karen Oberhauser, Professor of Fisheries, Wildlife and Conservation Biology; University of Minnesota, 612 624-8706, oberh001@umn.edu Sonia Altizer, Professor of Ecology, University of Georgia, saltizer@uga.edu Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, 971-244-3727, sarina@xerces.org Monarch Scientists Release Statement Highlighting Concerns with Butterfly Releases ST. PAUL, Minn.—Today, a Read more …

For Immediate Release Contact: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; 503-232-6639, ext. 112; sarina@xerces.org Seven Native Hawaiian Pollinators Proposed as Endangered Species First bees to be proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act Portland, Ore.—In response to petitions from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U.S. Fish Read more …

For Immediate Release Contact: Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation; (503) 449-3792; sblack@xerces.org Rusty Patched Bumble Bee One Step Closer to Protection The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes that this important pollinator may be threatened with extinction. PORTLAND, Ore.— Responding to a petition from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Read more …

PORTLAND, Ore.—The Xerces Society applauds the White House for the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators released today. Pollinators are an essential part of both productive agriculture and a healthy environment and the White House’s action places their protection squarely on the national stage. Protecting, restoring, and enhancing habitat for bees and butterflies, including the monarch, is a major focus of this national strategy. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore.—Today Portland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance to halt the use and purchase of neonicotinoids, and other like systemic insecticides, on city property. The ordinance also amends the city’s Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies, phases out the purchase of neonicotinoid-treated plants and nursery stock by the city, and urges local retailers to label plants containing neonicotinoids. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A newly completed assessment has found that monarch butterflies in North America are vulnerable to extinction. The assessment was undertaken by NatureServe and the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and results were published in a report released by the U.S. Forest Service yesterday. Read more.

The annual overwintering count of monarch butterflies released today shows a modest population rebound from last year’s lowest-ever count of 34 million butterflies, but is still the second lowest population count since surveys began in 1993. The population was expected to be up this winter due to favorable spring and summer weather conditions in the monarch’s U.S. and Canadian breeding areas, as butterfly populations fluctuate widely with changing weather. But the 56.5 million monarchs currently gathered in Mexico for the winter still represents a population decline of 82 percent from the 20-year average — and a decline of 95 percent from the population highs in the mid-1990s. Read more.

For Immediate Release January 14, 2015 Contact: Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, Xerces Society; (503) 449-3792, sblack@xerces.org Annual Count Shows that Number of Monarch Butterflies Overwintering in California may be Holding Steady Data released today show that monarch butterfly populations at overwintering sites in California may be remaining stable. Volunteers with the 2014 Xerces Society Read more …

In response to a petition by the Center for Biological Diversity, Center for Food Safety, Xerces Society and renowned monarch scientist Dr. Lincoln Brower, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said today that Endangered Species Act protection may be warranted for monarch butterflies. The agency will now conduct a one-year status review on monarchs, which have declined by 90 percent in the past 20 years. Read more…

For Immediate Release November 19, 2014 Contact: Aimee Code, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, (541) 232-9767 Pollinator Health Task Force Makes Recommendations to Oregon Legislature Majority of task force members see a need for greater oversight of pesticides Salem, OR—On Wednesday, a special Task Force on Pollinator Health delivered a series of recommendations to the Read more …

For Immediate Release, August 26, 2014 Contact: Tierra Curry, Center for Biological Diversity, (928) 522-3681 Abigail Seiler, Center for Food Safety, (443) 854-4368 Lincoln Brower, Sweet Briar College, (434) 277-5065 Sarina Jepsen, Xerces Society, (971) 244-3727 After 90 Percent Decline, Federal Protection Sought for Monarch Butterfly Genetically Engineered Crops Are Major Driver in Population Crash Read more …

OLYMPIA, WA– Responding to a petition from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today issued a positive 90-day finding for the Island Marble Butterfly, determining that protection may be warranted and initiating a status review of the species. Today’s decision resulted from a settlement agreement between the Xerces Society and USFWS. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore – Lacewings, lady beetles and flower flies are just a few of the beneficial insect groups that attack crop pests and reduce the need for pesticides. To increase the abundance and diversity of these hardworking insects on farms, the Xerces Society is pleased to announce the release of Farming with Native Beneficial Insects, the most comprehensive book ever developed on the subject of natural pest control. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore.– The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation together with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) filed a complaint today against the Department of the Interior and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service asking them to take action on a petition to grant Endangered Species Act (ESA) protection to the rusty patched bumble bee. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore.—The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) announced that it will manage mosquitoes on the approximately 300 acres of the Ni-les’tun Unit of the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge using only the biological pesticide Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) to kill mosquito larvae, until the breeding habitat created inadvertently during a restoration project in 2011 has been remediated. Read more.

Scott Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, attended the White House Pollinator Initiative Stakeholder meeting Wednesday, and provided oral and written comments on how the White House can protect the diverse array of pollinators. “I am very pleased that the White House is engaged in pollinator conservation,” said Scott Hoffman Black. “We must act now to provide pesticide-free habitat on landscapes across the U.S. to protect these vitally important animals.” The meeting was attended by more than 60 conservationists, researchers, educators, farmers, beekeepers and corporate representatives. Read more.

PATAGONIA, Ariz.—In a letter delivered to the White House on Monday, leading monarch scientists, farmers, and educators asked President Obama and the Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to direct five federal agencies, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, Farm Service Agency and Bureau of Land Management, to establish a monarch butterfly recovery initiative to restore habitat for this species on both public and private lands. Read more.

The Xerces Society and partners provide comprehensive comments on the proposed use of insecticides to control native burrowing shrimp in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor The comments are in response to the Washington State Department of Ecology’s proposal to develop an Environmental Impact Statement for use of the toxic neonicotinoid imidacloprid for the control of Read more …

On February 13, 2014, the Xerces Society and NRDC filed a notice of intent to sue the Secretary of the Interior for failure to respond to a petition to list thenrusty patched bumble bee (Bombus affinis) as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Read more.

Salem, OR: In response to four separate bee die-offs last summer that killed approximately 55,000 bumble bees, new legislation seeks solutions protect pollinators from insecticides. Save Oregon’s Pollinators Act (House Bill 4139) will get its first hearing with the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee in Salem on Tuesday February 11th. Read more.

Portland, OR: Data released today show that more monarch butterflies were counted at overwintering sites in California this year compared to last year. While this is welcome news, the number of butterflies is still well below peak numbers from the 1990s. Read more.

Portland, OR: A new web site launched today allows people to be directly involved in protecting bumble bees throughout North America. BumbleBeeWatch.org enables people to connect with experts and other enthusiasts, and help build a comprehensive picture of where bumble bees are thriving and where they need help. Read more.

Salem, OR: The Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) today released a report outlining their findings that several bumble bee kills in 2013 were caused by two neonicotinoid insecticides, dinotefuran and imidacloprid. ODA has levied fines because of negligence on the part of applicators totaling $2,886 for bee kills in Wilsonville, downtown Portland and West Linn. No fines were levied in an incident in Hillsboro. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore — Leading conservation and science voices renewed their call today for a key federal agency to protect bumble bees in light of numerous threats contributing to population declines. The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), Defenders of Wildlife and Dr. Robbin Thorp asked the Secretary of Agriculture to take action on a petition to regulate the movement of commercial bumble bees in order to help control the spread of parasites and pathogens to wild bumble bees—at least one species of which may have already been driven to extinction. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore — A report released today by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation moves the spotlight from the risks neonicotinoids pose to bees to the impacts of neonicotinoids to invertebrates such as earthworms or lady beetles. Beyond the Birds and the Bees provides a comprehensive review of published articles and pulls together the growing body of research that demonstrates risks from neonicotinoids to these beneficial insects. Read more.

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Xerces Society applauds Coos County commissioners for listening to local opinion and deciding to cancel a large part of the mosquito spraying plan. Aerial spraying of the adulticide Dibrom will not be done around the city of Bandon or Bandon Marsh NWR. However, treatment of 300 acres of the marsh itself with a larvicide will be done. Read more.

Portland, OR: Local residents packed a town hall meeting to express their opposition to spraying Bandon Marsh NWR for the control of nuisance mosquitos. The Xerces Society supports local residents in their opposition to this misguided and likely illegal spraying plan. Read more.

Portland, OR: A scientist from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation will be attending the public meeting arranged by Coos County later today to join members of the Bandon community in speaking out against the mosquito control spraying proposed for the Bandon Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. Read more

Portland, OR: The Xerces Society urges the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service not to spray Bandon Marsh NWR for the control of nuisance mosquitos because the treatment will harm wildlife, cause disruption to the refuge ecosystem and will likely not be an effective way to manage mosquitoes. Read more

WASHINGTON, DC: Representative Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) joined Representative John Conyers (MI-13) in introducing The Save America’s Pollinators Act. The legislation suspends certain uses of neonicotinoids, a particular type of pesticide that is suspected to play a role in the bee die-offs happening in Oregon and around the world, until the Environmental Protection Agency reviews these chemicals and makes a new determination about their proper application and safe use. Read more

PORTLAND, OR: After the mass poisoning of over 50,000 bumble bees last week in Wilsonville, Oregon and other incidents now being reported in neighboring Washington County, scientists are calling on local officials to ban the cosmetic use of insecticides on city- and county-owned lands. Read more

Wilsonville, OR – Oregon Department of Agriculture confirms that over 50,000 bumble bee deaths in the parking lot of an OR Target were due to application of insecticide known as Safari. This represents that largest mass bumble bee death on record. Read more

WILSONVILLE, OR.– Tens of thousands of bumble bees and other pollinators were found dead under trees at the Target store in Wilsonville on Monday, June 17th. The discovery was a strange and ironic start to National Pollinator Week, a symbolic annual event intended to raise public awareness about the plight of bees. Read more

PORTLAND, Ore.—A new report released today by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation shows that public education and targeted mosquito management efforts are the best way to both protect communities from mosquito-borne diseases and protect wetland health. Read more

PORTLAND, Ore.— The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation filed a petition today with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service seeking Endangered Species Act protection for the rusty patched bumble bee. This animal was once very common from the Upper Midwest to the East Coast and was an important pollinator of crops and wildflowers.

PORTLAND, Ore.—A new paper published today in the Natural Areas Journal indicates that bark beetle outbreaks that have turned millions of acres of forests in the Inter-mountain West a noticeable red coloration (from tree death) do not substantially increase the risk of active crown fire in lodgepole pine and spruce forests as commonly assumed.

On October 11, 2012, in response to a petition from the Xerces Society and partners, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed to list the Taylor’s checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha taylori) as an endangered species and designate critical habitat. This butterfly’s native prairie habitat is one of the rarest ecosystems in the U.S., with 90 Read more …

DENVER, Colo. — Responding to a petition from a coalition of conservation groups and scientists the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today issued a positive 90-day finding for the Arapahoe snowfly (Capnia arapahoe) determining that protection may be warranted and initiating a status review of the species.

In comments to the USDA’s Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, ten other conservation groups, and several bee scientists have formally asked for protection of wild bumble bees from the threat of disease.

An extensive review of bumble bee studies and surveys from across the U.S. show that three formerly common bumble bee species are experiencing steep declines. The report compiled information from more than three dozen scientists and citizen monitors and found that populations of the rusty-patched, yellowbanded and western bumble bee have all sharply dropped in the last decade.

A new report details how the island marble butterfly is languishing without protection even though it may be on the brink of extinction. The new report lists the island marble as one of ten species that have been named the most in-need of protection under the Endangered Species Act. With a population of less than 2,000 individuals and multiple threats to its survival the island marble is one of the most imperiled butterflies in the U.S.

A coalition of scientists and conservationists filed a petition today requesting that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extend Endangered Species Act protection to Susan’s purse-making caddisfly (Ochrotrichia susanae).

Senator Max Baucus (D-MT) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) along with 28 other co-sponsors introduced the Pollinator Habitat Protection Act into the Senate today. This bill allows existing conservation programs to provide enhanced habitat for pollinators.

The recent widespread losses of honey bee colonies from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has received a lot of media coverage.

A new study in the April issue of the journal Bioscience shows that insects provide services worth more than $57 billion to Americans.

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Center for Biological Diversity, Northwest Environmental Defense Center, and Friends of the San Juans yesterday filed a lawsuit in federal district court in Seattle to compel the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect the Island Marble butterfly.

A coalition of scientists and conservationists filed a petition today requesting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service extend Endangered Species Act protection to the Jackson Lake, Harney Lake, and Columbia springsnails, three relatives of the Idaho springsnail, which is currently an endangered species.

The Center for Biological Diversity and the Xerces Society today filed a lawsuit in Federal District Court in Portland, Oregon to compel the US Fish and Wildlife Service to protect seven swallowtail butterfly species as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

A coalition of conservation groups today filed a scientific petition with U.S. Interior Secretary Gale Norton in Washington DC to list the Sand Mountain blue butterfly (Euphilotes pallescens arenamontana) as a threatened or endangered species under the Endangered Species Act, and designate critical habitat for its survival, conservation and recovery.

A coalition of conservation and scientific organizations filed a petition today requesting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service protect the Black Hills mountainsnail (read “mountain-snail”) – a declining land snail that exists only in the Black Hills – under the Endangered Species Act (ESA).

A coalition of conservation and scientific organizations filed a petition today under the Endangered Species Act requesting federal protection for the Dakota skipper, an imperiled prairie butterfly, and its endangered grassland habitat under the U.S. Endangered Species Act.

With almost one million described species, insects eclipse all other forms of animal life on Earth, not only in sheer numbers, diversity, and biomass, but also in their importance to functioning ecosystems.

In keeping with a legal agreement the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service listed the Carson wandering skipper butterfly as an endangered species on August 7, 2002. The species was listed on a temporary, emergency basis in November 2001.