Press Releases
Monarch Butterflies in Western North America in Jeopardy
Thursday, January 17th, 2019Population of monarchs overwintering in California at lowest level ever recorded Media Contacts: Emma Pelton, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist; emma.pelton@xerces.org, (971) 533-7245 Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director; sarina.jepsen@xerces.org, (971) 244-3727 PORTLAND, Ore.; Thursday, 1/17/19—The population of monarch butterflies overwintering in California has fallen to the lowest level ever recorded. Surveys done by volunteers with Read more …
Conservation Organizations Seek Protection for California’s Endangered Bumble Bees
Tuesday, October 16th, 2018Protecting these species will help to maintain the healthy ecosystems that make California such a remarkable and productive state.
Bee City USA joins forces with the Xerces Society
Monday, June 11th, 2018Ground-breaking conservation initiative to become part of the Xerces Society, ensuring a bright future for nationwide network of bee-friendly communities and campuses. Contacts: Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (503) 449-3792, scott.black@xerces.org Phyllis Stiles, Bee City USA Founder and Director (503) 395-5367, phyllis.stiles@xerces.org For immediate release Asheville, N.C.; Tuesday, Read more …
Managing for Monarchs in the West
Monday, April 30th, 2018A new guide to protecting the monarch butterfly from the Pacific to the Rockies. Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. (971) 244-3727, sarina.jepsen@xerces.org Emma Pelton, Conservation Biologist, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. (503) 232-6639, emma.pelton@xerces.org FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE PORTLAND, Ore.; May 1, 2018—With the number of monarch Read more …
Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas Project Aims to Engage Citizen Scientists in Tracking Bumble Bees
Wednesday, April 18th, 2018A Collaborative Regional Effort to Conserve Pollinators Contacts: Rich Hatfield, Senior Conservation Biologist, Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (971) 303-9150; rich@xerces.org Ross Winton, Regional Wildlife Biologist, Idaho Department of Fish and Game (208) 324-4359; ross.winton@idfg.idaho.gov Ann Potter, Conservation Biologist – Insect Specialist, WA Department of Fish & Wildlife (360) 902-2496; ann.potter@dfw.wa.gov Andony Melathopoulos, Oregon State University Read more …
One of America’s Rarest Butterflies Finally Receives Protection under the Endangered Species Act
Wednesday, April 11th, 2018Media Contacts: Scott Hoffman Black, Executive Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (503) 449-3792 | scott.black@xerces.org For immediate release OLYMPIA, Wash.; April 11, 2018—More than 15 years after the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation initially submitted a petition asking for federal protection for the island marble, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Read more …
Western Monarch Butterflies Continue to Decline
Thursday, February 1st, 2018FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contacts: Sarina Jepsen, Endangered Species Program Director, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, (971) 244-3727, sarina.jepsen@xerces.org Emma Pelton, Conservation Biologist, Endangered Species Program, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, (503) 232-6639, emma.pelton@xerces.org Western Monarch Butterflies Continue to Decline Annual census of monarchs overwintering on the California coast reveals the lowest number of Read more …
Sran Family Orchards becomes first Bee Better Certified grower
Wednesday, January 10th, 2018Media Contacts: Cameron Newell, Bee Better Certified Coordinator, The Xerces Society (619) 495-3253 | cameron.newell@xerces.org Eric Lee-Mäder, Pollinator Conservation Program Co-Director, The Xerces Society (503) 989-3649 | eric.lee-mader@xerces.org Connie Karr, Certification Director, Oregon Tilth (503) 378-0690 | connie@tilth.org Jason Hickman, Grower Relations, Sran Family Orchards (559) 365-8492 | jason@sranfamilyorchards.com FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE KERMAN, Calif.; Read more …
New Guidelines for Protecting California’s Monarch Butterfly Groves
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emma Pelton, Endangered Species Conservation Biologist; (503) 232-6639 x102, emma.pelton@xerces.org New Guidelines for Protecting California’s Monarch Butterfly Groves Protecting and managing overwintering sites is essential if the monarch’s migration is to be sustained PORTLAND, Ore.; November 9, 2017—The image of monarch butterflies winging their way for hundreds or thousands of miles Read more …
Mussel Loss Threatens Health of Creeks in Western North America
Monday, October 30th, 2017FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Emilie Blevins, Conservation Biologist; (503) 232-6639 x124, emilie.blevins@xerces.org Sarina Jepsen, Director, Endangered Species & Aquatic Programs; (971) 244-3727, sarina.jepsen@xerces.org Mussel Loss Threatens Health of Creeks in Western North America New study shows freshwater mussels have been lost from 1 in 5 western watersheds in which they occurred. PORTLAND, Ore.; October 30, Read more …
Monarch butterflies disappearing from western North America
Friday, September 8th, 2017FOR 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 …
Bee Better Certified Offers a New Approach to Protecting Pollinators
Monday, June 19th, 2017FOR 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 …
An Historic Day: Protection for the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee
Thursday, March 23rd, 2017FOR 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 …
New Western Monarch and Milkweed Website Launched
Thursday, February 16th, 2017FOR 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 …
Number of Monarchs Overwintering in California Remains Low
Tuesday, February 7th, 2017FOR 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 …
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Protected as an Endangered Species
Tuesday, January 10th, 2017FOR 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 …
General Mills, NRCS and the Xerces Society Announce Multi-Year, $4 Million Investment in Pollinator Habitat
Wednesday, November 30th, 2016FOR 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 …
US Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Rusty Patched Bumble Bee for Endangered Species Act Protection
Thursday, September 22nd, 2016FOR 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 …
State of the Monarch Butterfly Overwintering Sites in California
Friday, July 8th, 2016FOR 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 …
A Ghost in the Making: Nationwide Release of a Revealing Film About the Decline of a Once Common Pollinator
Wednesday, June 22nd, 2016FOR 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 …
City of Milwaukie Protects Pollinators from Pesticide
Wednesday, April 20th, 2016FOR 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 …
Monarch Numbers Up, But Still a Long Journey to Recovery
Friday, February 26th, 2016FOR 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 …
Assessment of Western Monarch Butterfly Winter Population Completed
Thursday, February 4th, 2016FOR 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 …
Early data from Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count suggests a small increase in butterfly numbers in some parts of the overwintering range
Sunday, December 13th, 2015FOR 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 …
Monarch Scientists Release Statement Highlighting Concerns with Butterfly Releases
Thursday, October 8th, 2015For 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 …
Seven Native Hawaiian Pollinators Proposed as Endangered Species
Wednesday, September 30th, 2015For 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 …
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee One Step Closer to Protection
Friday, September 18th, 2015For 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 …
White House Releases Historic Strategy to Protect Pollinators and Their Habitat
Tuesday, May 19th, 2015PORTLAND, 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 Bans Insecticides Linked with Pollinator Declines
Wednesday, April 1st, 2015PORTLAND, 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.
Monarch Butterflies in North America Found to be Vulnerable to Extinction
Tuesday, March 10th, 2015PORTLAND, 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.
Monarch Numbers Up Slightly, But Butterfly Still at Risk of Extinction
Tuesday, January 27th, 2015The 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.
Annual Count Shows that Number of Monarch Butterflies Overwintering in California may be Holding Steady
Wednesday, January 14th, 2015For 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 …
Monarch Butterfly Moves Toward Endangered Species Act Protection
Monday, December 29th, 2014In 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…
Pollinator Health Task Force Makes Recommendations to Oregon Legislature
Tuesday, November 18th, 2014For 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 …
After 90 Percent Decline, Federal Protection Sought for Monarch Butterfly
Tuesday, August 26th, 2014For 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 …
One of Nation’s Rarest Butterflies Closer to Protection under the Endangered Species Act
Monday, August 18th, 2014OLYMPIA, 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.
Farming with Native Beneficial Insects
Monday, August 4th, 2014PORTLAND, 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.
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Threatened with Extinction
Tuesday, May 13th, 2014PORTLAND, 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.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Removes Controversial Chemicals from Mosquito Management Plan
Monday, May 5th, 2014PORTLAND, 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.
The Xerces Society, Other Conservation Leaders Participate in White House Pollinator Initiative Stakeholder Meeting
Thursday, May 1st, 2014Scott 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.
Scientists, Farmers and Educators Ask the President and Secretaries of Agriculture and the Interior to Jump Start Recovery of Monarch Butterflies
Monday, April 14th, 2014PATAGONIA, 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.
Xerces and partners comment on proposed insecticide use in Willapa Bay and Grays Harbor
Friday, February 14th, 2014The 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 …
Xerces and NRDC ask FWS to take legal steps to protect rusty patched bumble bee
Thursday, February 13th, 2014On 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.
Save Oregon’s Pollinators Act addresses bee decline
Monday, February 10th, 2014Salem, 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.
Number of Monarch butterflies overwintering in California holds steady, but still well below the 1990s
Friday, January 31st, 2014Portland, 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.
Grab Your Camera…Bumble Bee Watch is Here!
Tuesday, January 21st, 2014Portland, 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.
Bumble Bee Kills: Negligence Proven, Fines Inadequate
Thursday, December 19th, 2013Salem, 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.
Protection for Pollinators: Conservation Groups and Scientists Push USDA to Save Wild Bumble Bees
Tuesday, October 29th, 2013PORTLAND, 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.
New Report: Beyond the Birds and the Bees
Tuesday, September 24th, 2013PORTLAND, 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.
Coos County cancels aerial spraying of 10,000 acres
Wednesday, September 11th, 2013PORTLAND, 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.
Majority of residents at public meeting speak out against Bandon Marsh spraying plan
Tuesday, September 10th, 2013Portland, 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.
Xerces Society to speak at public meeting for Bandon Marsh spraying
Monday, September 9th, 2013Portland, 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
Bandon Marsh mosquito spraying plan is ineffective and bad for wildlife
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2013Portland, 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
Blumenauer, Conyers Introduce Save America’s Pollinator Act
Wednesday, August 7th, 2013WASHINGTON, 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
Scientists Call for an End to Cosmetic Insecticide Use After the Largest Bumble Bee Poisoning on Record
Thursday, June 27th, 2013PORTLAND, 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
Pesticide Causes Largest Mass Bumble Bee Death on Record
Friday, June 21st, 2013Wilsonville, 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
Mystery Bee Kill: Causes Being Sought
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013WILSONVILLE, 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
New Report Provides Guidance on Mosquito Management that Protects People and Wetlands
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2013PORTLAND, 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
Rusty Patched Bumble Bee Threatened with Extinction
Tuesday, January 29th, 2013PORTLAND, 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.
New Study: Bark beetle outbreak not the culprit in recent rash of western fires
Wednesday, January 23rd, 2013PORTLAND, 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.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Proposes Federal Protection for the Taylor’s Checkerspot Butterfly and its Habitat
Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012On 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 …
Arapahoe Snowfly on the Brink of Extinction
Tuesday, April 26th, 2011DENVER, 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.
Conservation groups and scientists ask the USDA to protect wild bumble bees from disease
Thursday, November 19th, 2009In 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.
New report finds that bumble bees have undergone dramatic declines
Wednesday, December 17th, 2008An 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.
Island Marble one of top ten wildlife, fish and plants in need of Endangered Species Act Protection
Tuesday, December 16th, 2008A 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.
Susan’s Purse-making Caddisfly on the Brink of Extinction
Wednesday, July 9th, 2008A 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).
Senate Pollinator Habitat Protection Act of 2007
Thursday, May 24th, 2007Senator 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.
Pollinators in Peril
Monday, May 7th, 2007The recent widespread losses of honey bee colonies from Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) has received a lot of media coverage.
Dollar value of insect services more than $57 billion a year in the United States
Saturday, April 1st, 2006A new study in the April issue of the journal Bioscience shows that insects provide services worth more than $57 billion to Americans.
Conservation Groups Move To Protect Rare Washington Butterfly
Tuesday, September 28th, 2004The 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.
Western Springsnails on the Brink of Extinction
Wednesday, July 28th, 2004A 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.
Conservation Groups Move To Protect Seven Imperiled Swallowtail Butterflies from Around the World
Friday, May 7th, 2004The 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.
Petition Filed to List Nevada Butterfly as Endangered Species
Friday, April 23rd, 2004A 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.
Conservationists Act to Save Declining Black Hills Snail
Thursday, September 25th, 2003A 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).
Conservationists Seek Federal Protection for Rare Midwest Butterfly
Monday, May 12th, 2003A 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.
Endangered Invertebrates – A Case For Attention To Invertebrate Conservation
Friday, September 27th, 2002With 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.
Carson Wandering Skipper Butterfly Listed as Endangered
Thursday, August 8th, 2002In 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.