Background
The University of Illinois Chicago has partnered with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources and several energy and transportation industry organizations to develop a national voluntary conservation benefit agreement (CBA) to provide habitat for seven species of at-risk bumble bees. This multi-species agreement will focus on several at-risk bumble bee species that collectively span much of the continental U.S. These at-risk species are those that have experienced severe population declines, and include species petitioned, proposed, or already listed under the ESA.
This effort builds on the success of the Monarch CCAA in engaging energy and transportation land managers in voluntary conservation. The at-risk bumble bee conservation benefit agreement is intended to build upon conservation actions from the Monarch CCAA, or allow agreement-specific commitments where preferred. To date, the Monarch CCAA has resulted in over 850,000 acres of habitat commitments. We hope this at-risk bumble bee conservation benefit agreement can yield similar results for other species in need. For more information, please take a look at our CBA WEBINAR or SLIDES.
Your Help is Needed!
Interested in supporting the bumble bee agreement effort? Reach out to Megan Petraitis at mpetrait@uic.edu for more information on how to contribute. We can use your help with:
- Sharing the importance of bumble bee conservation and this agreement in your meetings, webinars, social media, and other outreach.
- Connecting our planning team to knowledgeable resources that can help inform our agreement development.
- Make an in-kind or financial contribution and participate in agreement development.
Check out our interactive occurrence areas map to view nationwide ranges for each of the at-risk species targeted by this agreement. These ranges were developed using publicly available, research-grade iNaturalist data from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility. These ranges were developed using occurrence data assembled, maintained, and updated by Leif Richardson of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, as used in his book, Bumble Bees of North America: and Identification Guide (2014). These data are the property of multiple individuals and institutions and should not be published without express permissions from Leif Richardson.
What is the Timeline?
Building off of the momentum of the Monarch CCAA, the development of this agreement is expected to be a two year process, with the finalized agreement ready for enrollment by the end of 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of agreement would this be?
The proposed agreement is expected to be a conservation benefit agreement, which is a new agreement type proposed by USFWS. Conservation benefit agreements (CBAs) are proposed under rule updates that affect how USFWS implements Section 10 of the Endangered Species Act. These agreements are intended to replace Candidate Conservation Agreements with Assurances (CCAA) and Safe Harbor Agreements (SHA).
Why is a conservation agreement needed?
In a world of 8 billion people and growing, conservation is needed more than ever. With increased demands on the lands for industry, farming, housing, and other uses, voluntary conservation agreements are an important mechanism needed to “re-wild” areas that are compatible with other uses and support habitat for biodiversity where needed most.
Many private land managers are interested in voluntary conservation, but are also concerned with potential regulatory risks resulting from habitat improvements. Voluntary conservation agreements like this allow landowners and land managers to engage in conservation while avoiding the risks of added regulations in the event that a species is listed.
What do the conservation measures look like?
Conservation measures are being developed in the agreement which address various conservation needs of the targeted at-risk bumble bees. Measures are being developed to address loss of habitat, reduce exposure to pesticides and other threats, and combat habitat degredation.
How will this Agreement relate to the Monarch CCAA?
Development of the agreement is attempting to overlap administrative and practical aspects of the Monarch CCAA as much as possible. By maximizing the amount of overlap where possible, it allows for easier engagement in voluntary conservation for both bumble bees AND monarch butterflies, as well as other species in the future that benefit from similar habitat.
Conservation Agreements
This addendum provides supplemental updates to the monitoring protocol described in the Monarch CCAA, Section 14.2. These additions and changes were made as a result of coordination between the Program Administrator, CCAA Partners, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service following the first year of program monitoring.
Conservation Agreements
The permit document, issued by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service on April 3, 2020, identifies the authorizations, terms and conditions of the Monarch CCAA, including required coordination with federal land management agencies and buffer zone activities.
Conservation Agreements
This document summarizes the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s final findings and recommendations following the public comment period and Enhancement of Survival Permit criteria analysis.
Conservation Agreements
This document provides the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service’s Environmental Action Statement determining that the Monarch CCAA qualifies for a categorical exclusion from further NEPA review and documentation.
Conservation Agreements
This document provides the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s biological and conference opinions based on the review of the Monarch CCAA and its effects to the monarch butterfly, species listed as threatened or endangered under the ESA, and designated proposed critical habitat.
Conservation Agreements
This document covers basic information about enrolling in the CCAA.
Thank You to Our Collaborators!
