RSVP Required! Sign up here:

Fireflies, renowned for their enchanting glow, are facing a global decline due to habitat loss and light pollution. In October 2024, the first firefly species was listed under the Endangered Species Act, underscoring the urgency of their conservation. While fireflies are often associated with the eastern U.S., the Southwest is home to two unique species found nowhere else on Earth: the Southwest spring firefly (Bicellonycha wickershamorum) and the Southwest synchronous firefly (Photinus knulli).

Join Rachel Laura, a biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and PhD student dedicated to studying these elusive creatures, as she introduces these fascinating firefly species. Learn about their unique behaviors, the challenges they face, and how you can contribute to vital research and conservation efforts to help protect these glowing wonders.

Event will begin at 5pm with the potluck dinner beginning at about 5:30 (please wait for all the guest to arrive - we'll announce when it's time to eat!). The presentation will immediately follow the meal. Come join us, invite a friend, and bring a dish to share. Also, don't forget to bring some food items to donate to the Santa Cruz food bank!

*This presentation is part of our annual Potluck Presentation Series. Check out the full 2025 schedule at https://bit.ly/AWRRpotluck.

(A Southwest Spring Firefly from the Appleton-Whittell Research Ranch. Photo: Candace Fallon/Xerces Society.)