John,

North American bumblebee populations have fallen by nearly 50% in the last 50 years.1 Bumblebees are struggling.

Although they don't bring much attention to themselves as they spread pollen on our behalf, some estimates suggest that one out of every three bites of food we eat depends on an animal pollinator like bumblebees.2

Meet three threatened bumblebee species we're working to save:

When you think of a bumblebee, it's likely the American bumblebee that comes to mind. They thrive in oversized colonies and are key pollinators for popular fruits and vegetables.3

From coast to coast, this fuzzy yellow wonder was once one of the most common bees in the U.S. But populations have plummeted by 90% in the last two decades, and the widespread use of bee-killing pesticides, or neonicotinoids, is a major factor.4

Talk about niche: the Franklin's bumblebee resides in a small pocket in northern California and southern Oregon. Although it's easily distinguishable thanks to the inverted, U-shaped pattern of yellow hairs atop its thorax, there hasn't been a confirmed sighting of one in 19 years.

The Franklin's bumblebee is currently endangered and continues to face threats from pesticide use. Competition from non-native bee species may also play a role in their decline, as some scientists believe diseases from commercial bee colonies are partly responsible for their disappearance.5,6

Have you ever come across a bee that's nearly an inch long? If so, you may have had a run-in with a Southern plains bumblebee. One of the larger bumblebees, this species is unique in that its abdomen hairs are flat, not fuzzy. They're also short-tongued, which enables them to access nectar in flowers with shorter tubes.7

The Southern plains bumblebee is now completely missing from six of the states where it used to live, and the species is under review for federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. What's to blame? You guessed it: Habitat loss and pesticide use.8

It's no secret that bumblebees are in trouble. Environment Colorado is committed to protecting all bee species. We continue to:

• Persuade state lawmakers to restrict neonic-coated seeds, building on the momentum of banning neonics for retail sale in Colorado,
• Urge Amazon to halt its sale of neonicotinoid pesticides, and
• Publish resources to help you protect pollinators from extinction.

Thank you for being an important part of our work to save the bees,

Ellen Montgomery

P.S. John, will you support our efforts aimed at protecting pollinators?

1. Jenna Prestininzi, "How you can build a bee-friendly garden. What to know in Michigan as bees emerge," Detroit Free Press, March 25, 2025.
2. "The importance of pollinators," United States Department of Agriculture, last accessed June 6, 2025.
3. Kelly Rourke, "The American Bumblebee (Bombus pensylvanicus)," U.S. Department of Agriculture, last accessed June 9, 2025.
4. Steve Blackledge, "It's time to list the American bumblebee as endangered," Environment America, January 19, 2023.
5. Evan Cole, "Franklin's Bumblebee (Bombus franklini)," United States Department of Agriculture, last accessed June 6, 2025.
6. Matt Kelly, "Bumblebee not seen since 2006 listed as endangered," National Geographic, September 3, 2021.
7. "Southern plains bumblebee," Illinois Department of Natural Resources, last accessed June 10, 2025.
8. Brandi Addison, "Opportunity for farmers': Southern Plains bumblebee under Endangered Species Act review," Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, February 3, 2024.

Your donation will be used to support all of our campaigns to protect the environment, from saving the bees and protecting public lands, to standing up for clean water and fighting climate change. None of our work would be possible without supporters like you. Environment Colorado may transfer up to $50 per dues-paying member per year into the Environment Colorado Small Donor Committee.