A new paper in Science of the Total Environment, co‑authored by researchers from several USGS Mission Areas and Centers, including the California Water Science Center, finds fungicides, herbicides, and insecticides at every sampling site across five Sacramento Valley wildlife refuges. Because levels stayed high even far from crops, scientists are probing what this means for pollinators. … Even though National Wildlife Refuges are designed to protect biodiversity, this study shows they are not immune to pollution. The findings highlight the need for stronger efforts to manage pesticide use, both inside and outside protected areas, to ensure the health of these important ecosystems.