<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)"><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#954F72;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
--></style></head><body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class="WordSection1"><p class="MsoNormal">Hi everyone,</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">I am thrilled to share the news that Bee City USA is becoming part of the Xerces Society. I know this is the kind of news that might seem perfect for pollinator week, but we’re so excited that we couldn’t wait that long!</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Many of you will know about Bee City USA—the chances are that there are lots of Bee City and Campus affiliates on this listserv—so you’ll know what a remarkable thing Phyllis Stiles has created over the last six years: a nationwide network of communities actively advocating for pollinators. Phyllis was recognized for this when she received NAPPC’s 2015 Pollinator Advocate Award. It is an honor for us that Phyllis will be joining the Xerces pollinator team to ensure that the transition goes smoothly and to continue growing the Bee City network.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Bee City USA and its sister initiative Bee Campus USA energize local people into acting to change the way they care for the landscapes in which they work, live, and play. By signing up as an affiliate, communities make a public commitment to raise awareness of pollinators, create habitat, and reduce pesticide risks. College campuses also integrate pollinator conservation into their service-learning programs and curriculum. The network recently welcomed its 115<sup>th</sup> affiliate, and there are more signing up each month. </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">You can read more about how this union came about and how it will make both the Xerces Society and Bee City / Bee Campus USA stronger in the two blogs below. There is also a press release, if you care to read it.</p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">BLOG: <b>Xerces Society + Bee City USA = A Match Made in Pollinator Heaven</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Scott Black, Xerces’ executive director, discusses the benefits that will accrue to both Xerces and Bee City from this change—and how pollinator conservation can strengthen communities.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://xerces.org/2018/06/11/xerces-society-bee-city-usa-a-match-made-in-pollinator-heaven/">https://xerces.org/2018/06/11/xerces-society-bee-city-usa-a-match-made-in-pollinator-heaven/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">BLOG: <b>Bee City USA Has Joined Forces with the Xerces Society!</b></p><p class="MsoNormal">Phyllis Stiles, Bee City USA founder, relates how from the early days her dream had been to have Bee City adopted by an established organization, and why Xerces was at the top of her list.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://www.beecityusa.org/blog-and-news/bee-city-usa-has-joined-forces-with-the-xerces-society">https://www.beecityusa.org/blog-and-news/bee-city-usa-has-joined-forces-with-the-xerces-society</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">PRESS RELEASE: <b>Bee City USA joins forces with the Xerces Society</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://xerces.org/2018/06/11/bee-city-usa-joins-forces-with-the-xerces-society/">https://xerces.org/2018/06/11/bee-city-usa-joins-forces-with-the-xerces-society/</a></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal">Thanks for reading this far—and thank you for all you do to support pollinators!</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"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Matthew Shepherd</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Director of Communications & Outreach</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><img border="0" width="160" height="60" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image003.jpg@01D40220.E8504250" alt="Email-Outlook_Xerces-logo-CMYK"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><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">Connect: <a href="http://www.xerces.org/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">www.xerces.org</span></a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/xerces.society/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Facebook</span></a> <a href="https://twitter.com/xercessociety" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Twitter</span></a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/xercessociety/?hl=en" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Instagram</span></a> <a href="http://www.xerces.org/blog/" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">Blog</span></a> <a href="https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001HTk7N6nZumLPinBr8VACbNdTXCe732bGu6KpqC13JAKPti_HBe5xyr7t0p4mDfKe2dOsd-TB1qvv772s6GQfVa_SbKKfwBiwl4blH4KvCjq4dpmA2M9UNZ2axlQwu_1Gvjrl2Rb53WUZwsddwCzyorgxedLAaMy3" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">E-newsletter</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">628 NE Broadway, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97232, USA</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Office: (503) 232-6639 x110</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt">Cell: (503) 807-1577</span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:10.0pt"><a href="mailto:matthew.shepherd@xerces.org" target="_blank"><span style="color:blue">matthew.shepherd@xerces.org</span></a></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p><p class="MsoNormal"> </p></div></body></html>