| Biodiversity, the variety of life forms on Earth, is under threat. To solve it, we must support the invertebrates that are foundational to ecosystems. That means protecting, restoring and managing habitat in all landscapes—from natural areas to farms to urban cores. Thanks to Xerces donors, we have protected and restored over 3.5 million acres of habitat over the last 20 years, and we have improved management on tens of millions of additional acres.
Yet protecting and planting habitat is not enough! To stop insect declines, we must also minimize and/or eliminate the impact of pesticides in all landscapes. Study after study shows that pesticides are a major cause of insect decline and overall loss of biodiversity. We use more pesticides on this planet now than we have ever used in human history. They appear everywhere from high mountain lakes to our children’s bodies.
Xerces uses a multipronged approach to address the overuse of pesticides. We work with academic partners on applied research to understand pesticide impacts and solutions. We then use this science to educate audiences about alternative approaches to these toxic substances. We push for policy solutions at the local, state and federal level. But with heavy pesticide use throughout the country, we have our work cut out for us.
This is why we are coming to you today. Will you support us as we work to protect pollinators and other important invertebrates from these toxic chemicals? Together we can make a real difference and help solve the biodiversity crisis.
Here is a snapshot of what we have accomplished:
- In the Central Valley of California, our research showed that 100% of milkweed plants were contaminated with pesticides, or as Rachel Carson called them, biocides. The same was true for milkweed plants sold at nurseries nationwide. These studies have been a wakeup call for many public agencies, businesses and gardeners and are leading to changes in how and where pesticides are used.
- Bee City and Bee Campus USA affiliates are protecting pollinators by taking actions such as eliminating the use of insecticides and stopping cosmetic pesticide use.
- Fruit farmers in the Northeast are installing barrier nets to stop insect pests in lieu of weekly insecticide treatments.
- Plant nurseries are implementing a variety of actions to reduce pesticide use. Just this week, a grower called us to report that he stopped drenching potting soil with a long-lived systemic pesticide known to harm monarchs—and his plants still look great!
- In New Mexico, we helped stop a 25,000-acre spray that would have included a wilderness study area and was adjacent to the Rio Chama, a beloved recreation site and a source for drinking water for the City of Albuquerque.
- A proposed spraying will be halted that could have impacted several national monuments in Arizona after we raised significant concerns.
We hope that you will join us and give a tax-deductible gift today so that we can continue this vital work. With your help, we can make a better world for bees, butterflies, soil and aquatic insects, and all of the plants and animals that rely on these animals for food and pollination.
Sincerely,
Scott Black, Director
Aimée Code, Pesticide Reduction Program Director |
North Carolina Small Farm Association 