As a science-based organization, the Xerces Society produces dozens of publications annually, all of which employ the best available research to guide effective conservation efforts. Our publications range from guidelines for land managers, to brochures offering overviews of key concepts related to invertebrate conservation, from books about supporting pollinators in farmland, to region-specific plant lists. We hope that whatever you are seeking—whether it's guidance on making a home or community garden pollinator-friendly, advice on developing a local pesticide reduction strategy, or detailed information on restoring habitat—you will find it here!
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Use the search functions to sort by publication type (books, guidelines, fact sheets, etc.), location, and/or subject (agriculture, gardens, pollinators, pesticides, etc.).
This information sheet has details of the plant species included in the Pollinator Habitat Kits for the Santa Fe (NM) Pollinator Trail.
How to Create Habitat for Stem-Nesting Bees
Help us save the stems for native bees—share this brochure with friends, family, and neighbors. This 1/3-page brochure explains the nesting cycle for solitary stem-nesting bees and how to protect them (and their nests) year-round.
Our donor newsletter that includes news and information about Xerces' programs and conservation work.
A Guide for Site Managers
Firefly tourism is on the rise in the United States. Of the more than 150 species of fireflies that occur in the US, at least five species—including the synchronous fireflies Photinus carolinus and Photuris frontalis—are of tourism interest. While this can be a boon to local economies and help more people to experience the wonder of fireflies, it also presents challenges.
Visitor Etiquette for Sustainable Firefly Tourism
This easy-print Visitor’s Etiquette Guide can be displayed or distributed by site managers and volunteers before events to promote sustainable firefly tourism. Three copies can be printed on a single sheet of letter paper using a small office printer, making it easy to share with participants before and during events.
Also available in Spanish, French, and Simplified Chinese.
Distributions, Threats, and Conservation Recommendations
Anecdotal reports of firefly declines have been on the rise in recent decades. While population declines have been documented for some species in Europe and Asia, the picture was not as clear in North America. With the exception of a few localized studies, no effort had previously been made to assess the conservation status of the 171 described taxa in the United States and Canada.
A collaboration between the Xerces Society, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Bumble bees are important pollinators throughout much of the world, essential to the health of wildlands and natural areas. Yet, bumble bee population declines have been documented from multiple continents. In North America, many species have been considered for listing as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, including several bumble bees in the western United States.
Historically, an incomplete picture of the habitat needs and status of bumble bees has been a barrier to effective conservation and land management. To address this need, the Pacific Northwest Bumble Bee Atlas (PNWBBA) was launched in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington in 2018. This large-scale, three-year effort was specifically directed toward understanding bumble bee populations, their habitat needs, and the efficacy of various habitat management actions, with the goal of significantly improving the effectiveness of bumble bee conservation efforts.
Essays on Invertebrate Conservation
The Xerces Society marks its fiftieth birthday this December. This is a time to reflect on what has been achieved and the people who contributed to our success, but it is also important to look ahead at how we can continue this vital work. The articles in this issue of Wings describe initiatives that move us in new directions.
Enhancing Our Communities by Supporting Native Pollinators in Our Parks and Other Public Spaces
Plants and wildlife, including pollinators, can thrive in the seemingly inhospitable environment of towns and cities. Studies done from around the country have shown that dozens of species of bees can be found in gardens and parks in areas that are dominated by hardscapes such as Berkeley, California, and East Harlem in New York. In some cases, towns and cities are also important strongholds for rare species like the rusty patched bumble bee.