Iowa City, IA—In conjunction with 36 industry partners, National Co+op Grocers (NCG), based here, made a donation of $64,425 to The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Based in Portland, OR, the Society is a non-profit dedicated to the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. The donation was officially made as part of National Co+op Grocers “Convergence” grocery and wellness conference held in St. Paul, MN.

This contribution will specifically benefit the Xerces Society’s Bring Back the Pollinators campaign, an initiative designed to educate both individuals and organizations on the four man aspects of pollinator conservation: growing a variety of pollinator-friendly flowers and plants, protecting nesting sites, staying away from pesticide use and spreading knowledge on these subjects within their communities. The Society also offers research, in-person education courses and signs for people to put in their yards to designate “Pollinator Habitat” zones.

Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of The Xerces Society, declared it “such an honor to have the support of the National Co+op Grocers and its partners for ‘Bring Back the Pollinators,’ our signature pollinator conservation initiative.” He explained that this support would allow for healthier wildflower habitats for essential pollinators like bees and butterflies. NCG CEO Robynn Shrader added that “pollinators are necessary for the reproduction of more than two-thirds of the world’s crop species, including more than 100 crops in the U.S. alone.” She considers the Society’s work essential for protecting both the environment and our current food system. The Xerces Society’s efforts have led to the creation of over 200,000 acres of pollinator habitats on farms, ranches, gardens, airports, golf courses, parks and public lands since 2008.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, November 2016 (online 9/25/15)