Few species ignite such warm feelings of nostalgia as fireflies. These beacons of light are some of our most beloved insects, and no wonder, their very presence feels magical. Beyond their immense cultural value, they have played critical roles in scientific research and medicine, and they are integral components of healthy, thriving ecosystems.
Join Xerces Society Ambassador, Brandie Dunn, as she sheds some light on the enchanting world of fireflies. Learn about their distribution and life history, as well as how human activities are placing them more and more at risk. Leave inspired to adopt simple acts that add up and brighten the future for these charismatic and universally beloved creatures.
About Our Speaker
Brandie Dunn was honored to become a volunteer Ambassador for Xerces Society in 2022 and join them in their mission to engage and inspire people to establish meaningful connections with invertebrates. In small, incremental steps over the course of the last decade, she has successfully incorporated over 70 native plant species into her suburban yard where she has welcomed an increasingly diverse array of species, including endangered rusty-patched bumble bees. Brandie prioritizes firefly friendly practices which have brought more sparks of life to the neighborhood. She is also a volunteer site steward in McHenry County and enjoys hosting monthly ecological restoration days in the community.