Xerces Society Inc

XERCES SOCIETY IS A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION THAT PROTECTS WILDLIFE THROUGH THE CONSERVATION OF INVERTEBRATES AND THEIR HABITAT. THE SOCIETY IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF INVERTEBRATE PROTECTION WORLDWIDE, HARNESSING THE KNOWLEDGE OF SCIENTISTS AND THE ENTHUSIASM OF CITIZENS TO IMPLEMENT CONSERVATION PROGRAMS.

POLLINATOR CONSERVATION - XERCES' POLLINATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAM WORKS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES TO EDUCATE FARMERS, LAND MANAGERS, AND THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE IMPORTANCE OF POLLINATORS AND OTHER BENEFICIAL INSECTS, AND TO ESTABLISH HABITAT PROTECTION AND MANAGEMENT AS KEYS TO THEIR CONSERVATION. AS A LEADING VOICE IN POLLINATOR CONSERVATION, XERCES PROMOTES PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS THAT ADDRESS THE ROOT CAUSES OF POLLINATOR DECLINES: HABITAT LOSS, PESTICIDE USE, UNSUSTAINABLE FARMING PRACTICES, DISEASE, AND CLIMATE CHANGE. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATIONIT DIRECTLY REACHES AGRICULTURAL PROFESSIONALS AND FARMERS AS WELL AS OTHER LAND MANAGERS THROUGH TRAININGS, WORKSHOPS, AND OTHER OUTREACH EVENTS. IN ADDITION, XERCES MANAGES THE ONLY THIRD-PARTY CERTIFIED POLLINATOR CONSERVATION PROGRAM TO HELP FARMERS TO PROTECT AND RESTORE HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS. AS A RESULT OF XERCES' WORK, NATIVE POLLINATORS ARE NOW A KEY PRIORITY FOR AGRICULTURAL CONSERVATION PROGRAMS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, AND OVER A MILLION OF ACRES OF HABITAT IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR THESE VITAL INSECTS.

ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION - TO CONSERVE AND RESTORE THE DIVERSITY OF LIFE ON EARTH, XERCES' ENDANGERED SPECIES CONSERVATION PROGRAM ENGAGES IN EDUCATION, RESEARCH, COMMUNITY SCIENCE, CONSERVATION PLANNING, AND ADVOCACY TO PROTECT AT-RISK SPECIES AND THEIR HABITATS. THE PROGRAM COLLABORATES WITH SCIENTISTS AND LAND MANAGERS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT THE PLIGHT OF INVERTEBRATES AND TO GAIN PROTECTION FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE SPECIES BEFORE THEY DECLINE TO A LEVEL AT WHICH RECOVERY IS IMPOSSIBLE. SEE SCHEDULE O FOR CONTINUATIONIT ALSO WORKS WITH FEDERAL, STATE, AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO PROMOTE CLIMATE-RESILIENT RESTORATION AND BEST PRACTICES FOR HABITAT MANAGEMENT. ITS CURRENT WORK INCLUDES EFFORTS TO PROTECT BUMBLE BEES, MONARCHS AND OTHER BUTTERFLIES, FRESHWATER MUSSELS, FIREFLIES, SNAILS, AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES. THROUGH COMMUNITY SCIENCE PROJECTS, WHICH INCLUDE BUMBLE BEE WATCH, THE WESTERN MONARCH COUNTS, AND THE WESTERN MONARCH MILKWEED MAPPER, XERCES ENGAGES THOUSANDS OF INDIVIDUALS WHO GATHER DATA TO INFORM CONSERVATION EFFORTS.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT - THE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAM PROVIDES RESOURCES ON INVERTEBRATE CONSERVATION TO ALL AGE GROUPS. IT PROVIDES EXPERTISE ON HABITAT FOR POLLINATORS AND OTHER INVERTEBRATES TO COMMUNITY AND SCHOOL GARDENS, CITIES, AND COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AND IT OFFERS CONSERVATION WORKSHOPS FOR URBAN AND SUBURBAN AUDIENCES, REACHING HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE EACH YEAR. BY ENGAGING VOLUNTEERS, OR XERCES AMBASSADORS, XERCES EDUCATES AND INSPIRES INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES TO TAKE ACTION TO CONSERVE INVERTEBRATES.