Tell the FWS: Give these endangered bees a home

Endangered rusty-patched bumblebees need protection.

The species has declined by nearly 90% since the 1990s. That’s why we helped lead the charge to successfully make it the first bee to receive Endangered Species Act protections.

But the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) has never designated critical habitat for this endangered bee.

These bees need safe habitat to thrive.

When a species is listed as endangered or threatened, it usually receives a critical habitat designation. This is done to conserve the places a species calls homes and help it recover.

But, in the case of the rusty-patched bumblebee, critical habitat has never been designated by the FWS. In a recent court victory for the bee, this decision was criticized. A judge ruled that the FWS has no “satisfactory explanation” for not providing habitat protections for the endangered rusty patched bumblebee.

Take action to protect the rusty-patched bumblebee.

Saving the rusty-patched bumblebee requires saving its habitat. Establishing critical habitat will allow rusty-patched bumblebees to find shelter in pesticide-free areas and protect the fields they live in from development.

If the bees are to recover, they’ll need the protected space to do so. By adding your name to our petition today, you’ll help build the necessary support to see action.