# Xerces Society

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).
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. 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, 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.
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.

## Initiatives
### Bee City USA

The Xerces Society started the Bee City USA program to encourage cities to encourage native pollinators by planting more native plants, providing more pollinator habitats, and limiting unnecessary pesticide spraying.

### Bee Campus USA

The Xerces Society started the Bee Campus USA program to include pollinator gardens in communities and campuses to provide habitats for local pollinators.
The following colleges and universities participate in the Bee Campus USA program.
| College | Date |
| Cal Poly Humboldt | 2024 |
| Utah State University | 2023 |
| University of Montana | 2024 |
| University of New Hampshire | 2024 |
| Indiana University Kokomo | 2024 |
| West Virginia University | 2024 |
| UC San Diego | 2024 |
| Catawba College | 2024 |

## Litigation

In August 2024, the Xerces Society and Center for Biological Diversity won a lawsuit against the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) over its widespread use of pesticides to address grasshopper and cricket infestations over millions of acres across 17 western states.

## Publications

* Publications Library
* Borders, Brianna; Lee–Mäder, Eric (2014). "Milkweeds: A Conservation Practitioner's Guide: Plant Ecology, Seed Production Methods, and Habitat Restoration Opportunities" (PDF). Portland, Oregon: The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 4, 2021. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
* Mader, Eric; Shepherd, Mathew; Vaughan, Mace; Black, Scott Hoffman; LeBuhn, Gretchen (2011). Attracting Native Pollinators: Protecting North America's Bees and Butterflies: The Xerces Society guide. North Adams, Massachusetts: Storey Publishing. ISBN 9781603427470. LCCN 2010043054. OCLC 776997073. Retrieved July 7, 2021 – via Internet Archive.
* The Xerces Society (2016). 100 Plants to Feed the Bees: Provide a Healthy Habitat to Help Pollinators Thrive. Storey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-6121-2701-9. LCCN 2016017164. OCLC 946579610.