Saff Killingsworth

Saff joined Xerces in 2022 as an Endangered Species Conservation Biologist. She coordinates the Wild Bee Initiative, working with researchers and land managers to assess the status of wild bees in the western U.S. and address their conservation needs. She also works to advance conservation of butterflies and fireflies in Arizona.

Before coming to Xerces, Saff worked in habitat restoration with the Tucson Audubon Society and with the Center for Natural Lands Management in Olympia, WA. She also spent time at the Rocky Mountain Biological Lab in Colorado, studying pollen use by mason bees. Her research interests include plant-pollinator networks, foraging behavior of specialist bees, and plant community assembly.