| I’ve had many conversations about insect conservation, but over the years the urgency of the issue has grown. We are losing insects around the globe at an alarming rate. Consider bumble bees alone: 28 percent of species in North America face some degree of extinction risk. The story is similar for the world’s butterflies, beetles, and aquatic invertebrates.
So why are we seeing these declines? We have removed, degraded, or fragmented habitat in agricultural areas as well as in towns and cities. Less habitat means less diversity of species and less abundance of those that survive. It is as simple as that. Add in the toxic pesticides that are widely used, competition from invasive plants and animals, poor water quality, and severe weather events and shifting rainfall patterns that are caused by climate change, and you can see that it is hard to be an insect in this human-dominated world.
To reverse these trends and encourage robust populations of diverse native insects, we need high-quality, climate-resilient habitat across the landscape. Government agencies, farmers, managers of natural areas, home gardeners, and businesses all can protect and restore habitat, reduce the harm of pesticides on non-target insects, and take action to help slow climate change.
Xerces is working to promote these changes for the benefit of insects worldwide. By using applied research, engaging in advocacy, providing educational and training resources, and addressing policy implications, we endeavor to make meaningful long-term conservation a reality. But, as a donor-supported nonprofit, we need your support to be successful.
At the end of each year, we look to you, our loyal and generous supporters to provide us the foundation to continue this essential work forward into the next year. For those of you who are able, please consider making a tax-deductible gift this year-end.
Thank you for all you do.
Warmly,
Scott Black, Director |
North Carolina Small Farm Association 