The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and USDA are hosting two public listening sessions this month for stakeholders to provide input to assist the Pollinator Health Task Force in development of a federal strategy to protect honey bees and other pollinators.

The Task Force is asking for input on the types of activities that could be part of the strategy, including public private partnerships, research, educational opportunities, pollinator habitat improvements and pesticide risk mitigation.

On June 20, 2014, President Obama issued a directive to federal agencies to create a federal strategy to promote honey bee and other pollinator health. The President’s directive created a Pollinator Health Task Force, co-chaired by EPA and USDA, and charged federal agencies with expanding efforts to take new steps to reverse pollinator losses and help restore populations to healthy levels.

The listening sessions will be held on Wednesday, November 12, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in Arlington, Virginia and Monday, November 17, from 1:00 to 3:00 pm in Riverdale, Maryland. For those not able to attend the sessions, there is a webinar available. Additional information is available here.