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--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="blue" vlink="purple"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">This last couple of weeks has seen significant steps towards protection for several bees in the U.S. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">First, it was the positive 90-day finding on the rusty patched bumble bee (<i>Bombus affinis</i>).</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">But the latest news is that yesterday the FWS announced that they are proposing “endangered” status for seven species of yellow-faced bees (genus <i>Hylaeus</i>) from the Hawai‘ian Islands. Yellow-faced bees are the only native bees in the islands and play an essential role in Hawai‘i’s ecosystems. The Xerces Society submitted petitions for these seven species six years ago. Assuming the FWS finalizes it’s proposed rule in the next few weeks, these bees will become the first in the U.S. to gain federal protection.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">To read more about these bees (including the ESA petitions), go to <a href="http://www.xerces.org/hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees/">http://www.xerces.org/hawaiian-yellow-faced-bees/</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">For more on yesterday’s FWS proposal:</p><p class="MsoNormal">Federal Register, <a href="http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-30/pdf/2015-24305.pdf">http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2015-09-30/pdf/2015-24305.pdf</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">Press release, <a href="http://www.xerces.org/press/">http://www.xerces.org/press/</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Blog entry, <a href="http://www.xerces.org/blog/">http://www.xerces.org/blog/</a> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">In addition, there has been some media coverage about these bees. Here’s one article from Reuters:</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/01/us-usa-bees-hawaii-idUSKCN0RV37T20151001#">http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/10/01/us-usa-bees-hawaii-idUSKCN0RV37T20151001#</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b>U.S. proposes protections for Hawaiian bees threatened with extinction</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">By Laura Zuckerman </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">It was a great way to close out September!</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Matthew</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">________</p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Matthew Shepherd</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">, Communications Director</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation </span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Protecting the Life that Sustains Us</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Stay in touch: </span><b><span style="color:red"><a href="http://www.xerces.org/"><span style="color:red;text-decoration:none">xerces.org</span></a></span></b> <b><span style="color:#17365d"><a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Xerces-Society/193182577358618"><span style="color:#17365d;text-decoration:none">Facebook</span></a></span></b> <b><span style="color:#984806"><a href="http://www.xerces.org/enewsletters/"><span style="color:#984806;text-decoration:none">E-newsletter</span></a></span></b> <b><span style="color:#0070c0"><a href="https://twitter.com/xerces_society"><span style="color:blue;text-decoration:none">Twitter</span></a></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">628 NE Broadway, Ste 200, Portland, OR 97232-1324, USA</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Tel: (503) 232-6639 ext. 110; Toll free: 1-855-232 6639 ext. 110; Cell: (503) 807-1577</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt;color:#0070c0"><a href="mailto:mdshepherd@xerces.org"><span style="color:#0070c0">mdshepherd@xerces.org</span></a> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. To join the Society, make a donation, or read about our work, please visit <span style="color:#0070c0"><a href="http://www.xerces.org/"><span style="color:#0070c0">www.xerces.org</span></a></span>.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></body></html>