| Conservation in the United States is at a crossroads and the Xerces Society is navigating uncharted waters. U.S. agencies dedicated to protecting our land and water are being hollowed out, conservation regulations have been proposed for repeal, and nonprofits are losing federal funding at an alarming pace.
On average, Xerces receives 30% of our annual funding from the federal government. If these funds are lost, we may need to cut essential programs.
I have been asked how, as a conservationist, I keep going in the face of what seems like endless bad news. My answer now is the same as it has always been: We cannot be hopeless until there is no hope left.
We can continue to find hope and joy in things that draw us together such as planting a pollinator garden or simply enjoying the insect life we see around us.
Our Xerces community shares a common goal: Protecting the invertebrates that provide the foundation of life on this planet. This is a critical time for all of us to step up to protect, restore, and manage habitat for pollinators, aquatic invertebrates, monarch butterflies, soil-dwelling beetles, and all the other small creatures.
We will continue to work with our incredible agency partners wherever and whenever we can, as well as with individuals at the local level. We commit to continuing our work in all landscapes, from natural areas to farms, from city parks to roadsides, from community gardens to backyards.
Together, our Xerces community has achieved so much in just the past year, including:
- Thousands of people joined our community science programs, helping to build a better understanding of bumble bees, monarchs, and fireflies.
- Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA affiliates reached more than 350,000 people through hosting over 3,300 community events, 2,800 habitat projects, and further outreach activities.
- More than 100,000 acres of habitat were established on farms with the help of the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service.
- 457 community partners received and planted more than 110,000 native plants through our habitat kit program.
- More than 14,000 freshwater mussels were relocated from dam removal and restoration sites where they would have been killed.
- A proposal to spray insecticides over 2.6 million acres in Arizona, including portions of several national monuments, was canceled.
- The Vermont Legislature passed Bill H-0706, which could eliminate almost the total annual use of neonicotinoids in the state.
- Colorado General Assembly passed House Bill 24-1117 to provide the state’s Department of Parks and Wildlife the authority to conserve insects and rare plants. The bill also commits funding for six state staff positions to support invertebrate conservation efforts.
It is easy to get subsumed by politics, but we must not despair. With your help, we all can step up and do what we can for the planet—in whatever way works for each of us.
Thank you for standing with us.
Sincerely,
Scott Black |
North Carolina Small Farm Association 