A Push for Pollinators

By: Amy Walsh

Pollination is an ecosystem function that serves as the foundation for all life on Earth. Pollination occurs when the pollen grains from the anther of one flower are transferred to the stigma of another flower. Often facilitated by insects, bats, and birds, this process is necessary for plants to produce seeds. Unfortunately, the importance of pollination in our lives is often overlooked and undervalued. Recently, Colorado has introduced HB24-1117, which takes a long-awaited step to protect both plants and the pollinators such plants rely on.

In January 2024, HB24-1117 was introduced in Colorado, sponsored by M. Soper (R), K. McCormick (D) and J. Marchman (D). This bill allocates resources for research and conservation of invertebrates and rare plants in the state. Until now, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has not had the authority to monitor or manage these species. Co. Rev. St. § 33-1-102 defines “wildlife” as “ wild vertebrates, mollusks, and crustaceans, whether alive or dead, including any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof, that exist as a species in a natural wild state in their place of origin, presently or historically, except those species determined to be domestic animals by rule or regulation by the commission and the state agricultural commission.” Colorado is one of only twelve states that do not recognize insects as wildlife. While this bill will not alter this definition, it will include invertebrates and plants as species covered under the renamed Nongame, Endangered, or Threatened Wildlife and Rare Plant Conservation Act. The bill moved to the Senate on March 18th, 2024.

The bill would also require appropriated funds for invertebrate research and allow conservation trust funds for plant conservation. Colorado is home to nearly 1,000 native bee species and approximately 300 butterfly species. In 2022, the legislature appropriated $180,000 to conduct a pollinator study in Colorado. This study indicated that although Colorado has a diverse population of pollinators, many are facing serious threats, such as development and climate change. Pollinators are experiencing similar threats and declines nationwide.

The introduction of HB24-1117 was spurred by the listing of the silverspot butterfly (Speyeria nokomis nokomis) as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act (ESA). This subspecies is found throughout southwestern Colorado, eastern Utah, and northern New Mexico, requiring moist meadows with vegetation for shelter. Species declines can be largely attributed to habitat loss and temperature increases due to climate change. Upon listing, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) developed an accompanying 4(d) Rule under the ESA that ties conservation of the butterfly with balanced land management. This rule allows for grazing, haying, prescribed burning, weed control, and maintenance that may result in small-scale loss, but improve habitat conditions long-term. HB24-1117 would allow CPW to also be involved in the species’ protection through monitoring and habitat management.

Colorado’s failure to address invertebrates and plants prevents imperiled species’ from achieving recovery goals. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, there are five listed insects and sixteen listed flowering plants in Colorado, which would receive resources and funding necessary for monitoring and management under this new bill. These resources would also expand to species that are not federally listed, but imperiled, such as honeybees. In the future, these studies may also highlight the need for additional protections of other pollinators, like hummingbirds and bats, that are also experiencing dramatic declines. Given the serious declines of pollinators throughout Colorado and the United States, in general, this bill provides an opportunity to ensure the survival of these species, as well as the ecosystems they play a critical role in.