[Pollinator] Fwd: CO Dept of Natural Resources Launches study on Native Pollinating Insects

Thu Feb 23 11:32:04 PST 2023

*FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE*

February 23, 2023

Chris Arend | chris.arend at state.co.us (Dept. of Natural Resources)

Conor Cahill | conor.cahill at state.co.us (Governor’s Office)
------------------------------

*CO Dept of Natural Resources Launches study on Native Pollinating Insects*

*Study is result of law signed by Governor Polis and will be conducted by
Colorado State University Extension and Xerces Society for Invertebrate
Conservation, and University of Colorado Museum of Natural History*

*DENVER *- Pollinators are a critical link in Colorado’s food supply chain,
and the Governor signed last year to help ensure that the state continues
doing its part to recognize the crucial role of pollinators and promote
biodiversity.  Climate change, disease, and other factors are causing
insects and natural pollinators to decline globally and in many areas of
Colorado and the American West. In response to these challenges to food
supply and threats to the agriculture community and as a result of the new
law signed by Gov. Polis, the Colorado Department of Natural Resources has
announced it has commissioned a study on Native Pollinating Insects to
understand the role native insect pollinators have on natural resources,
have a better understanding of how native insect populations/communities
are changing across the state, and recommend management practices and
policies to address the health of native pollinators through statewide and
cooperative efforts.

*“We need to better understand the health and resilience of pollinators and
their ecosystems. This new study is a step our community is taking to
strengthen Colorado’s pollinator ecosystems, ensure they are in a position
to thrive, and help the rest of our natural world,”* said Gov. Polis.

*“Colorado is home to a large and diverse community of native pollinating
insects that are*

*essential for pollinating the majority of the state’s flowering plants
which are the foundation of our food systems, support overall biodiversity,
and are essential for ecosystem services such as climate regulation,
erosion control, nutrient cycling, and recreation,”* said Dan Gibbs,
Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. *“We are
proud to partner with our university and nonprofit partners to gain a
fuller understanding of the status of pollinators in Colorado and what
policies and measures we can pursue to ensure their long term health and
sustainability.”*

Last summer at the Butterfly Pavilion in Westminster, Gov. Polis signed
SB22-199
<https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Furldefense.proofpoint.com%2Fv2%2Furl%3Fu%3Dhttps-3A__leg.colorado.gov_bills_sb22-2D199%26d%3DDwMFaQ%26c%3DsdnEM9SRGFuMt5z5w3AhsPNahmNicq64TgF1JwNR0cs%26r%3DeIzrkKAC-uCmg9ZkLiv2eXY6G6emettGeZYbBSauQQw%26m%3D-bj_BrryVpkIOs5h2XLG83IxZEaiJJXMCnl4HGkG0QlxKVCBpr3f2IJvxc_ihpj_%26s%3DUdRWrGwB3ftYmN8Ja4--nrYCnK39y9EdLCkcH2opicE%26e%3D&data=05%7C01%7CDeryn.Davidson%40colostate.edu%7C14dac71a3def4eb6695808db15c1c166%7Cafb58802ff7a4bb1ab21367ff2ecfc8b%7C0%7C0%7C638127694168859195%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gbheXc%2BG3qBlHm1dST5fnTVkPmbu4YYT42T%2FKIok3ew%3D&reserved=0>
*Native
Pollinating Insects Protection Study*, sponsored by Representatives Kipp
and Froelich and Senators Jaquez Lewis and Priola, which created the study
within the Department of Natural Resources to gain a better understanding
of Colorado’s pollinators that keep our ecosystems healthy and resilient.

The collaborative study will be conducted by Colorado State University
Extension, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, and the
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History, in consultation with
state and federal agencies, researchers, scientists, and land managers
across the state.

*“CSU Extension is thrilled to be partnering with the Xerces Society along
with leading pollinator researchers from academic institutions, including
the CU Boulder Museum of Natural History,”* said Deryn Davidson, CSU
Extension Sustainable Landscape State Specialist. *“This team has been
conducting research on Colorado pollinators and best management practices
for decades, and now we have an opportunity to bring all of that
information together. We hope to provide the most comprehensive review of
Colorado pollinators in state history, identify existing practices and
programs, and provide recommendations for new practices that will benefit
pollinator health across the state.”*

Pollinators are essential to life on earth and the health and economic
stability of Colorado. The ecological service they provide is necessary for
the reproduction of over 85% of the world’s flowering plants, including
more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species. Colorado’s
insect-pollinated crops contribute over $300 million to the state’s
economy. Many of these crops depend on native pollinator populations,
including squash, pumpkins, and melons, while other crops produce better
and higher quality yields when pollinated by native insects. Additionally,
pollinators contribute significantly to the health and resilience of
Colorado’s rangelands which provide for grazing livestock and other
wildlife.

The critical role of pollinators extends far beyond agriculture to the
natural habitats within our parks, forests, grasslands, wild lands and
greenspaces. A rich diversity of flowering plants depends on diverse
species and populations of pollinators. The diversity of wildlife and the
quality of natural resources across Colorado hinges on native plant
diversity and healthy ecosystems.

Study Leads include, Deryn Davidson (PI), Sustainable Landscape State
Specialist Colorado State University Extension, Steve Armstead, Pollinator
Conservation & Nature-Based Climate Solutions Specialist, Xerces Society
for Invertebrate Conservation, and Adrian Carper, Research Associate
University of Colorado Museum of Natural History.

The study must be completed and prepared for presentation to the General
Assembly and the Governor on or before January 1, 2024.

###

*Scott Hoffman Black*

Executive Director

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation

*Pronouns:he/him/his*

*[image: cid:image005.jpg at 01D713FE.52CDF810]*

*Protecting the Life that Sustains Us*

Stay in touch:     *xerces.org* <http://www.xerces.org/>      *Xerces blog*
<http://www.xerces.org/blog/>      *E-newsletter*
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<http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Xerces-Society/193182577358618>
*Twitter* <https://twitter.com/xerces_society>

628 NE Broadway, Ste 200, Portland, OR 97232-1324, USA

Cell: (503) 449-3792

scott.black at xerces.org
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