News Releases

Photo by Tim Lumley

  • Award Recipients Announced for Rare U.S. Trees Conservation

    Ten gardens and arboreta from eight states were selected to receive funding from the first two rounds of awards ranging from US$3,000 to US$5,000 to support the collection, propagation, and safeguarding of 18 priority tree species in botanical collections. Applications for a third round of Priority U.S. Trees Conservation Awards will open in early March, with proposals due April 15, 2026.
  • NatureServe Highlights Growing Biodiversity Risks Amid Shifting Conservation Landscape
    In this retrospective, NatureServe highlights major federal program shifts, increased private-sector engagement, and new scientific initiatives that will shape conservation efforts in 2026.
  • NatureServe Expands Its Legacy with the Launch of InSite by NatureServe, a Next-Generation Biodiversity Tool
    NatureServe today announced the launch of InSite by NatureServe, a powerful new tool that provides instant insight into the biodiversity opportunities and risks of any location in the contiguous United States.
  • United States Updates National Standard for Ecosystem Classification
    NatureServe, the Ecological Society of America (ESA), and federal partners at the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) today announced the release of Version 3.0 of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC), the official standard for classifying and mapping terrestrial ecosystems across the United States.
  • Over One-Fifth of Native North American Pollinators at Elevated Risk of Extinction
    A pivotal new study led by NatureServe reveals that more than 22% of native pollinators in North America are at an elevated risk of extinction. This first-of-its-kind, taxonomically diverse assessment evaluated nearly 1,600 species—including bees, beetles, butterflies, moths, flower flies, bats, and hummingbirds—shedding light on the growing biodiversity crisis affecting ecosystems and food security.
  • Monarch Migration and the Paradox of Land Stewardship
    A new study reveals that despite vast holdings of federal lands in the Western United States, the majority of migratory habitat for Western Monarchs lies on private lands, highlighting the need for a collaborative conservation approach.
  • Enhancing Multistate Wildlife Conservation: Key Findings and Future Direction
    A groundbreaking new study provides a comprehensive, review of Species of Greatest Conservation Need as designated in the last round of State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAPs), and offers actionable recommendations for enhancing these efforts in the next SWAP revisions due to be completed over the next couple of years.
  • NatureServe Launches Conservation Data Portal for the Western U.S.
    NatureServe is proud to announce the launch of its Western Conservation Data Portal, an innovative resource designed to support the prioritization of conservation resources across the vast and ecologically rich American West.
  • NatureServe Expands Access to Critical Biodiversity Data with the Launch of NatureServe Explorer Pro
    NatureServe is proud to announce NatureServe Explorer Pro, an innovative tool that elevates the capabilities of the open-access database NatureServe Explorer. advanced platform provides users with unparalleled access to detailed information on at-risk species, reinforcing NatureServe's commitment to conserving biodiversity as the go-to source for decision-quality biodiversity data.
  • Over One-third of Biodiversity in the United States is at Risk of Disappearing
    Leveraging nearly 50 years of intensive data collection by NatureServe and the NatureServe Network, Biodiversity in Focus: United States Edition reveals an alarming conclusion: 34% of plants and 40% of animals are at risk of extinction, and 41% of ecosystems are at risk of range-wide collapse. The analyses presented in the report inform how to effectively and efficiently use our financial resources to make the best conservation decisions.
  • Researchers complete first comprehensive threat assessment of all U.S. trees
    Researchers from partnering institutions developed an updated checklist of all 890 tree species native to the contiguous U.S., and a replicable assessment data sharing process to guide future updates. The authors report that approximately 11-16% of tree species in the U.S. are threatened with extinction, with the greatest threats being invasive pests and diseases.