Xerces Society

Xerces Society
Named afterXerces blue
Formation1971; 53 years ago (1971)
FounderRobert Michael Pyle[1]
Type501(c)(3) non-profit
51-0175253
Legal statusFoundation
PurposeInvertebrate Conservation
HeadquartersPortland, Oregon
Region served
United States
Official language
English
Executive Director
Scott Black
Websitexerces.org
Samples of the extinct Glaucopsyche xerces butterfly in the collections of the Field Museum of Natural History

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation (Xerces Society) is a non-profit environmental organization that focuses on the conservation of invertebrates considered to be essential to biological diversity and ecosystem health. It is named in honor of an extinct California butterfly, the Xerces blue (Glaucopsyche xerces).[2]

The Society collaborates with federal and state agencies including the US Department of Agriculture, as well as scientists, land managers, educators, and citizens to promote invertebrate conservation, applied research, advocacy, public outreach and education.[3] Examples of Xerces Society activities include advocating for invertebrates and their habitats, petitioning for the designation of endangered status for applicable species such as the monarch butterfly,[4] and public education projects. Ongoing projects include the rehabilitation of habitat for endangered species, public education about the importance of native pollinators, and the restoration and protection of watersheds.[5]

The organization was founded by butterfly scientist Robert Michael Pyle from Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, and was reincorporated with the Oregon Secretary of State on April 14, 1988.[6]

  1. ^ "Distinguished Washington Environmental Writer to Speak at CWU". Central Washington University. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  2. ^ Hunter, Dave; Lightner, Jill (2016). Mason Bee Revolution: How the Hardest Working Bee Can Save the World – One Backyard at a Time. Mountaineers Books. ISBN 9781594859649.
  3. ^ "Donate". The Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation. Retrieved 2014-09-04.
  4. ^ "Monarch Petition" (PDF). Xerces Society For Invertebrate Conservation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2014-08-28.
  5. ^ Cassandra Profita (June 20, 2013). "Xerces Society: Wilsonville Bees Died From Pesticide Poisoning". EarthFix. Oregon Public Broadcasting. Archived from the original on September 4, 2014. Retrieved September 19, 2016.
  6. ^ "The Xerces Society". Left Exposed. 2015-10-13. Archived from the original on 2020-02-25. Retrieved 2020-04-29.