Program Summary

Over the past few decades, there has been a significant loss of pollinators such as honey bees, native bees, birds, bats, and butterflies from the environment. This is a serious problem and requires immediate attention to ensure the sustainability of our food production systems, avoid additional economic impacts to agriculture and to protect the health of the environment. Given the breadth, severity, and persistence of pollinator losses, it is critical to expand Federal efforts and implement measures to reverse losses and help restore pollinator populations to healthy and sustainable levels.

On June 20, 2014, a Presidential Memorandum was issued Creating a Federal Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators which directs agencies to develop plans to enhance pollinator habitat. Section 3 of the memorandum Increasing and Improving Pollinator Habitat states the  US Army Corps of Engineers shall incorporate conservation practices for pollinator habitat improvement on the 12 million acres of lands and waters at resource development projects across the country, as appropriate. The USACE served on the White House Task Forces for Pollinator Health and contributed to development of various components of the Strategy.

On May 19, 2015, the National Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators was released by the White House. The Strategy includes the USACE Pollinator Protection Plan which establishes guidance to promote the health of pollinator species on lands and waters administered by the USACE.