Eugene is home to a diverse array of pollinators, including hundreds of bee species that play a critical role in sustaining local ecosystems. However, habitat loss, climate change and pesticide use are driving a concerning decline in these vital species.
“We have approximately 600 species of bees in Oregon,” Aimée Code, Pesticide Program Director at the Xerces Society, said. “The federal oversight of pesticides really fails to provide the level of protection that we need to protect these species.”
According to Code, multiple threats are putting pollinators at risk, including shifting weather patterns, habitat degradation, pesticide exposure and climate change. These threats compound each other, which means a pollinator already under duress by habitat loss may be even more vulnerable to pesticide exposure.
One legislative effort in Oregon, House Bill 2679, will look to mitigate pesticide risks by classifying neonicotinoid pesticides as restricted-use pesticides.
If the bill passes, neonicotinoids would no longer be available for retail purchase, limiting access to licensed pesticide dealers only. The bill aims to restrict unlicensed users from buying pesticides at retail stores.
Jennifer Eisele, ecosystems and communities project manager at Beyond Toxics, said the bill intends to make neonicotinoids no longer available for purchase to unlicensed users in retail outlets.
“There have been a lot of concerns from agricultural users about how this will affect them, and there’s an amendment that would still allow farmers or producers of agricultural commodities to use them without a license,” Eisele said.
While Beyond Toxics does not support the amendment, Eisele emphasized the importance of finding a middle ground while prioritizing pollinator protection. She noted that neonicotinoid residues can persist in soil for long periods, affecting pollinators that come into contact with contaminated ground.
In some cases, exposure to these chemicals has interfered with pollinators’ reproductive cycles and caused large-scale population declines.
Despite these challenges, many cities, including Eugene, have taken proactive steps to create safer environments for pollinators.
“One of the things I love about pollinator conservation is that in a very small space, in a very short amount of time, you can see change,” Code said. “I planted sunflowers, and that year, I saw a new species of bee — Longhorn bees — because they’re attracted to sunflowers.
The Xerces Society encourages residents to take part in pollinator conservation through its “Bring Back the Pollinator” pledge. The initiative emphasizes four simple actions: planting native flowers, avoiding pesticide use, providing nesting sites and reducing habitat disturbances.
Beyond individual actions, Code emphasized the need to shift perspectives on insects in general. Many people see all insects as pests and turn to pesticides at the first sign of a problem.
“We need to step back and recognize that a lot of these species are actually good for us,” Code said. “Even if all you can do is put some flowers in your yard, on your patio, and not spray pesticides, you’re making a difference.”
Code said that pollinators are declining at an estimated 1-2% annually across North America — a figure that may not seem alarming at first glance, but adds up to devastating losses over decades. Bumblebee species in particular are at risk, with over a quarter of North America’s nearly 50 species facing near extinction.
“Fifteen years ago, people were not thinking about bees. We weren’t worried about them, but they have been in the news recently, and for very good reason,” Code said. “Our pollinators are vitally important. Our whole food system and all of our ecosystems rely on these pollinators.”
With spring approaching, Code encourages Eugene residents to take a moment to appreciate these vital creatures.
“When the spring arrives and there are flowers, step back and look at our bees,” Code said. “They’re actually pretty amazing.”
