$635,400 Grant Aims to Protect Endangered Rusty Patched Bumble Bee in Iowa

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has announced a grant of $635,400 to protect the habitat of the endangered rusty patched bumble bee in Winneshiek County. This funding is part of a broader initiative in which the agency is awarding over $48.4 million to 19 states and Guam to support land acquisition and conservation planning projects for 80 federally listed and at-risk species across more than 23,000 acres.

The rusty patched bumble bee, listed as federally endangered in 2017, has faced a dramatic decline in population, particularly in northeastern Iowa, where it is primarily found. The exact cause of the species' decline remains unclear, but scientists believe it may be due to a combination of factors, including exposure to pesticides and the introduction of a harmful pathogen. The grant aims to protect and restore vital habitat in Winneshiek County, ensuring the survival of this essential pollinator.

"Thanks to the Endangered Species Act, this critical funding will help in conserving our nation’s most imperiled wildlife and vital habitat while fostering partnerships between federal, state and local governments, private landowners and communities," said U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Martha Williams. She also highlighted that the funding aligns with the Biden-Harris administration’s America the Beautiful initiative, which seeks to conserve, connect and restore 30 percent of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030.

Iowa's Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has identified the rusty patched bumble bee in several northeastern counties, including Black Hawk, Clayton, Johnson, Allamakee, Jackson and Winneshiek. The conservation efforts funded by this grant will focus on these areas, working to mitigate the threats to the species and enhance its habitat.

The funding for the rusty patched bumble bee habitat protection is part of the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (CESCF), which is authorized by Section 6 of the Endangered Species Act and partially funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The CESCF grants are designed to support state and territorial programs that conserve and recover federally listed and at-risk species on non-federal lands, promoting collaboration among various stakeholders.In total, this year’s CESCF grants include more than $41.4 million dedicated to the acquisition and permanent protection of 23,000 acres of habitat across 16 states. These efforts will benefit multiple species, including the Indiana bat, wood stork, gopher tortoise, Oregon silverspot butterfly, and speckled pocketbook mussel. However, the funding allocated to the rusty patched bumble bee underscores the urgency of protecting this critically endangered pollinator and its essential role in maintaining the health of ecosystems.