:


John,

Nature is sounding its alarm bells.

Hundreds of native bee species are on the brink of extinction, and this year, millions of honeybees died in what some are calling "the worst bee loss in recorded history."[1,2]

But there is hope -- because states around the country are hearing those alarm bells and beginning to take action.

Here are some of the biggest threats facing our nation's pollinators, and what's being done to save them.

Pesticides that are 1,000 times more toxic than DDT, that attack insect brains and cause confusion, violent shaking and death -- that's what bees are up against.[3] Neonicotinoids or "neonics" are still widely used in agriculture and gardening, even though they've been shown to devastate local bee populations.

But states are taking action. From California to New Jersey, statewide restrictions are getting neonics off of store shelves, and New York and Vermont set a new precedent by restricting the sale of neonic-treated seeds.[4]

Bees need places to find food and build their homes, to protect and nurture their hives. But all too often, once-buzzing bee habitat is destroyed to make way for new development.

Here's how states are responding. Texas, Kentucky and others have planted pollinator-friendly vegetation on public lands like state parks or outside government facilities. States like Connecticut, Illinois and New Mexico have established pollinator habitat along highways. And at least 16 states have provided funding for some amount of habitat restoration or research.[5]

The more we know about the rapid decline of bee populations -- and the more we can share that knowledge with the public -- the more effectively we can come together to create solutions.

And that's exactly what some states are doing. From citizen's guides on pollinator habitat to raising money for pollinator research through specialty bee license plates, states are taking creative approaches to increase research and awareness about the threats to bees.[6]

Every state in the country has taken some step toward saving the bees -- including right here in Colorado, where we've designated neonics as limited-use pesticides, passed a roadside pollinator habitat policy and taken a number of other steps to protect bees.[7] And every state could do much, much more.

The threat of losing some of our most vital pollinators is very real. But when we know exactly what threats they're facing, we also know what solutions we can put in place to save the bees before it's too late. These state actions show that progress is possible.

Thank you for being part of our work to save the bees,

Ellen Montgomery

P.S. These actions are just the beginning. Our national network is running campaigns in states around the country to pass more pesticide restrictions on neonics, improve pollinator habitat and educate both legislators and the public on these issues. Will you donate to make all of our work possible?
[link removed]

1. Justin Worland, "More than 700 North American Bee Species Are Headed Toward Extinction," Time, March 2, 2017.
[link removed]
2. Kerry Breen, "Millions of bees have died this year. It's "the worst bee loss in recorded history," one beekeeper says.," CBS News, March 29, 2025.
[link removed]
3. Steve Blackledge, Patrick Kelly-Fischer, Deirdre Cummings, "A snapshot of state actions to protect pollinators," Environment America, June 16, 2025.
[link removed]
4. Steve Blackledge, Patrick Kelly-Fischer, Deirdre Cummings, "A snapshot of state actions to protect pollinators," Environment America, June 16, 2025.
[link removed]
5. Steve Blackledge, Patrick Kelly-Fischer, Deirdre Cummings, "A snapshot of state actions to protect pollinators," Environment America, June 16, 2025.
[link removed]
6. Steve Blackledge, Patrick Kelly-Fischer, Deirdre Cummings, "A snapshot of state actions to protect pollinators," Environment America, June 16, 2025.
[link removed]
7. Steve Blackledge, Patrick Kelly-Fischer, Deirdre Cummings, "A snapshot of state actions to protect pollinators," Environment America, June 16, 2025.
[link removed]




-----------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------

Join us on Facebook: [link removed]
Follow us on Twitter: [link removed]

Environment Colorado, Inc.
1543 Wazee St., Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202, (303) 573-3871
Member questions or requests call 1-800-401-6511.
If you want us to stop sending you email then follow this link: [link removed]