May 17, 2022

12:00 PM-1:00 PM CDT on GoToWebinar

Bumble bees are undergoing serious population losses. Several species are awaiting consideration for listing under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA): American bumble bee has declined by nearly 90%; Western bumble bee by 93%; variable cuckoo bumble bee by 89%. Recent ESA listings of other bumble bees have included the rusty patched bumble bee (2017) and Franklin’s bumble bee (2021). The Monarch CCAA for Energy and Transportation Lands has spurred unprecedented conservation efforts for monarch butterflies across the nation. Building on this success, UIC and USFWS are exploring the creation of a companion agreement aimed at conserving habitat needs for multiple at-risk bumble bee species across North America. This multi-species bumble bee conservation agreement is being developed to focus on six listed or petitioned bumble bee species. In this webinar, we will share an overview of why this agreement is important now, what is currently included in the proposal, and the next steps. Please join us to learn about this bumble bee agreement proposal as well as how your organization can get involved.