The rusty-patched bumblebee is on the brink

The past few decades have been cruel to this charming bumblebee, with the population plummeting by almost 90% since the 1990s.

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The rusty patched bumblebee once buzzed across the eastern United States and Upper Midwest, darting between flowers, keeping the prairie landscape lush.

But humans tore the prairies apart, replacing them with monoculture crops and concrete. These industrious bees adapted as well as they could, but their new environment proved far from ideal.

Fast forward to the 21st century, and the rise of bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides have transformed the American landscape into fields of death for the rusty patched bumblebee.

It’s a familiar story, but it’s far from over. We’re urging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to designate critical habitat for the rusty patched bumblebee.

The rusty patched bumblebee population is plummeting

The past few decades have been cruel to this charming bumblebee, with the population plummeting by almost 90% since the 1990s.

That’s where we joined the story. With the support of bee-lovers across the country, Environmental Action called on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to grant rusty patched bumblebees protection under the Endangered Species Act.

And we succeeded: In 2017, the rusty patched bumblebee became the first wild bee in the continental U.S. to be listed as endangered.

But this is only the beginning. These endangered bumblebees need a place where they can safely collect pollen and raise their young.

Critical habitat can help save the rusty patched bumblebee from extinction

The Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed designating critical habitat for the rusty patched bumblebee — and the agency will be accepting public comments until Jan. 27.

These approximately 1.6 million acres of critical habitat across Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Virginia, West Virginia and Wisconsin could spell the difference between salvation and extinction for the rusty patched bumblebee. We must ensure the bumblebees’ homes are protected.

Take action to save the rusty patched bumblebee

The story of the rusty patched bumblebee doesn’t have to be a tragedy.

Join the narrative and urge the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to secure critical habitat for this endangered bumblebee today.

Let’s give these bumblebees the happy ending they deserve.

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