Lee and Ogle Counties Included In A Rusty Patched Bumblebee Critical Habitat Proposal 

DIXON -  U.S. Fish and Wildlife is proposing parts of six states, including thousands of acres locally, be designated as critical habitat for the Rusty Patched Bumblebee. Last month, officials designated over 15,000 acres in Lee and Ogle Counties for protection, including areas near Lost Nation and in northern Ogle County. Potential future protections could include limiting construction, herbicide and pesticide use, prescribed burns, and water drainage management. The Rusty Patched Bumblebee used to be common in 28 states.