x

Pollinator Conservation Resources - General

Pollinator Conservation Resources - General

Resources to aid in the planning, establishment, restoration, and maintenance of pollinator habitat.

The Xerces Society produces dozens of publications each year to share the latest science-based conservation information; guide conservation efforts; and support farmers, gardeners, and other invertebrate enthusiasts in creating healthy habitat for the "little things that run the world."

The pollinator resources found on this page support habitat restoration throughout the mainland United States and Canada.

For a directory of regional resources, please click here or refer to the state- and province-specific links on this page. For questions, comments, or to suggest additional content, please email [email protected].

 

Bee Better Certified: A Farmer's Guide
Bee Better Certified™ is the gold standard of pollinator-focused farm certification programs. Developed by the Xerces Society, the world’s largest science-based pollinator conservation organization, Bee Better Certified builds upon nearly two decades of on-farm habitat research and development.
Western Monarch Call to Action
Western monarchs need everyone’s help. Starting in 2018, monarch butterflies had tough seasons in their migratory and breeding grounds in the western states and, in the following two winters, the annual Xerces Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count showed that the population hit a new low: In both 2018 and 2019, volunteers counted under 30,000 monarchs—less than 1% of the population’s historic size. This Western Monarch Call to Action, led by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, aims to provide a set of rapid-response conservation actions that, if applied immediately, can help the western monarch population bounce back from its critically low overwintering size.
Western Monarchs Are in Trouble: This Is How You Can Help

In 2018 and 2019, the number of monarchs overwintering in California dropped to 1% of the historic population size. In 2020, that number dropped even further to less than 0.01% of the historic size, volunteers counted less than 2,000 monarchs during the annual Western Monarch Thanksgiving Count. For every 2,250 monarchs there were 30 years ago, there is only one left flying today.

Pollinators and Climate Change: Building Climate Resilience into Pollinator Habitat Restoration in the Central Valley
While habitat degradation, pesticides, and disease all contribute to pollinator decline, climate change is an increasingly significant stressor that may interact with these to further drive the decline of pollinators. A loss of pollinators in the Central Valley will affect both agricultural and natural ecosystems. Farms, natural areas, rights-of-way, and urban spaces can all play a role in making the Central Valley a climate-resilient landscape for pollinators.
Habitat Assessment Guide for Pollinators in Yards, Gardens, and Parks
The goal of this tool is to evaluate pollinator habitat at a given urban, suburban, or rural site and identify areas for improvement. This process will also help users prioritize the most essential next steps to take for pollinators at the site.
Pollinators and Climate Change: Climate-Smart Right-of-Way Habitat
Improving pollinator habitat along roadsides and rights-of-way has many benefits, even beyond providing habitat for these important insects—including carbon sequestration and soil stabilization. Although this fact sheet is centered on California, many lessons are more broadly applicable, and can provide a useful jumping-off point for climate-smart habitat planning for other regions.
Pollinators and Climate Change: Climate-Smart Natural Habitat
Given the many ways that climate change is likely to impact pollinators and plant-pollinator interactions, we propose multiple strategies to increase climate resilience for pollinators in natural areas. Although this fact sheet is centered on California, many lessons are more broadly applicable, and can provide a useful jumping-off point for climate-smart habitat planning for other regions.
Bring Back the Pollinators
Pollinators are essential to the health of our environment and for bountiful farm crops. There are four straightforward steps that you can take to help them: grow flowers, provide nest sites, avoid pesticides, and share the word.
Common Organic-Allowed Pesticides
A Comparative Overview
This fact sheet is intended to be a quick reference to help you select and use organically-approved pesticides with the least impact on bees and other beneficial insects.

Bee Better Certified

Bee Better Certified™ partners with farmers and food companies to conserve bees and other pollinators in agricultural lands. The Bee Better Certified seal identifies and celebrates farmers and businesses that adopt farm management practices that support pollinators, and gives consumers confidence that their purchasing decisions benefit pollinators and the farmers working to protect them.

Bee City & Bee Campus USA

The Bee City & Bee Campus USA programs endorse a set of commitments for creating sustainable habitats for native pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet.  Learn more how to make your town or campus better for bees today!