| When you hear the word firefly or lightningbug, what comes to mind? Warm summer nights? Flickering lights in the encroaching darkness? Maybe soft grass underfoot, with children running about? Few species ignite such warm feelings of nostalgia as fireflies. These beacons of light are some of our most beloved insects, and no wonder. Their bioluminescence fills us with awe. Their very presence feels magical.
Fireflies are cherished, but they are also declining. Anecdotal reports from around the globe describe fewer individuals being seen each year. Also surprisingly, fireflies receive relatively little conservation attention. Xerces and our partners are working to change this. We plan to do this by advancing our understanding of firefly distributions, life histories, and extinction risks; identifying and addressing threats to their populations; recovering populations that have declined; and engaging people from all walks of life in saving and protecting these incredible insects. |
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| World Firefly Day: Keeping Fireflies in the Neighborhood
Every summer we celebrate World Firefly Day, an annual celebration organized by the Fireflyers International Network. Fireflies transform places, making them feel both safe and mysterious. Their blinking lights are comforting in the dark, and their seasonal return is always a source of delight and awe. Even when you learn about the chemistry behind their bioluminescence, the sense of wonder remains. Read More |
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| Last week, Xerces staff joined a two-day Monarch Butterfly Summit at the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center in Washington, DC. Hosted by Oregon Senator Jeff Merkley in collaboration with the Department of the Interior, the event brought together key stakeholders to discuss solutions to reverse the declining monarch butterfly, particularly the western monarch population. Read More |
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| Upcoming Events
View and register for upcoming events on the Xerces events page, including our summer Bring Back the Pollinators webinar series:
- Bring Back the Pollinators: Managing Pests While Protecting Pollinators on July 21
- Bring Back the Pollinators: Get the word out! on August 25
- Bring Back the Pollinators: Providing Nesting Habitat for Bees on September 29
Learn More |
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| Xerces is a donor supported non-profit organization. Your tax-deductible donation today will help grow and sustain our essential work.
Join or Renew your membership today! |
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Donation Mailing Address:
The Xerces Society
PO Box 97387
Washington DC, 20090-7387
If you need us, email us at membership or call us at 855-232-6639, option 2. |
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Banner photo: Jerry Lai, Flickr.com
Body photo: Xerces staff at the National Mall by Scott Black, Xerces Society
Copyright © 2022 The Xerces Society |
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