John,

Bee colonies are collapsing and nearly 1 in 4 native bumblebee species are at risk of going extinct.1

We need to do everything we can to stop the alarming rate of bee decline -- but instead, agricultural companies are pre-treating seeds with bee-killing pesticides.2

One of the best ways we can stop these deadly seeds is to convince retailers to stop selling them.

We've already helped win a commitment from Lowe's to take bee-killing pesticides off store shelves, and now we're urging Nutrien Ag Solutions, the No. 1 seller of agricultural seeds in the country, to join them.

Will you donate to help us convince Nutrien Ag to stop selling neonic-coated seeds?

Seeds coated in bee-killing pesticides are planted on 150 million acres of farmland every year.3 Worse yet, once these pesticides are in the environment, they don't just stay in the fields. They leach into groundwater, spread in the wind and end up everywhere.

We're literally making our land poisonous for bees and other vital pollinators.

The result has been a startling decline in bee populations in recent years with more and more native bee species spiraling towards extinction.

But what's perhaps most ridiculous is that by pre-treating seeds with bee-killing pesticides, these bee-killing seeds are used in places where the targeted pests and weeds aren't present. Some studies have found that the seeds can reduce crop yields.4

Here's the good news: if retailers won't sell seeds pre-treated with bee-killing pesticides, then the seed companies will need to start producing seeds that aren't treated with neonicotinoids. It's that simple.

That's why we're asking the biggest seller of agricultural seeds in the country, Nutrien Ag, to do the right thing for the bees.5

We're still working to stop drilling in the Arctic, defend our forests and promote clean energy. But right now, we need to mobilize enough support to convince Nutrien Ag to help save the bees, and we're counting on your support.

Will you make a donation to help save the bees?

Yes, I'll make a donation.

Thank you,

Ellen Montgomery

1. Jan Peterson, "Bumble Bee Atlas: A Nationwide Buzz," U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, May 2, 2023.
2. Jim Kleinschmit, "Unknown Benefits, Hidden Costs - Neonicotinoid Seed Coatings, Crop Yields and Pollinators," Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, August 5, 2015.
3. Elizabeth Royte, "These widely used insecticides may be a threat to mammals too," National Geographic, February 5, 2021.
4. "Benefits of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments to Soybean Production," U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, last accessed December 29, 2023.
5. "CropLife 100: Top 10 Seed Retailers by Sales," CropLife, July 9, 2019.

Your donation will be used to support all of our campaigns to protect the environment, from saving the bees and protecting public lands, to standing up for clean water and fighting climate change. None of our work would be possible without supporters like you. Environment Colorado may transfer up to $50 per dues-paying member per year into the Environment Colorado Small Donor Committee.