President Obama: Keep Standing Up for Honeybees!

President Barack Obama issued a presidential memorandum on Friday June 20 acknowledging the plight of bees and other pollinators and ordering the creation of a federal strategy to protect these critical species.

Over the past few decades," the memo states, "there has been a significant loss of pollinators, including honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies, from the environment. The problem is serious and requires immediate attention to ensure the sustainability of our food production systems, avoid additional economic impact on the agricultural sector, and protect the health of the environment."

Monarch butterfly numbers have dropped 80 percent in recent years and the number of migrating monarchs in 2013-2014 was the lowest on record. Obama's memorandum calls for the creation of a "pollinator health taskforce" that will study the effects of chemical use and pathogens that have contributed to collapsing pollinator populations. The group will also draft an action plan to protect critical species that includes public outreach to educate the public about pollinators as well as increasing and improving pollinator habitat on federally managed lands.

Thank President Obama taking action to protect pollinators and for recognizing the crucial role these species play in our environment and agriculture.