Dear John, 

Our bees are dying. We know that climate change, habitat loss, and pesticides like neonicotinoids are largely to blame for their rapid decline across the globe, so it's time for our state to step in and help save Maine's pollinators.

I write to you today to let you know about an important bill in Maine’s Legislature — LD 155 — that would protect Maine’s precious pollinators from harmful pesticides. We’re working to get this bill across the finish line, but we need your help to do it.

Tell your lawmakers: Support LD 155 to protect Maine’s pollinators from harmful pesticides. Click here to send your message.

LD 155 would ban the use of several neonicotinoids (neonics for short) on lawns and yards. Neonics are a class of insecticides that when sprayed on a plant, pollute the pollen and nectar. This is a problem because neonics are toxic to butterflies and bees.

It's not news that bees, in particular, are struggling to survive and their populations have been declining for years. A recent honeybee study found that almost 41% of the honeybee population in Maine did not survive the winter. We must do everything we can to protect essential pollinators and this bill will help us do just that.

I began beekeeping two years ago because I wanted to do something to help the honey bee population. We have a large field and I do not use neonics or any pesticides; but my neighbors, who live close enough for the bees to forage on their property, could be using them on their lawns and plants. If this bill becomes law, there is no doubt that my bees will have a better chance of survival. 

For the sake of all pollinators, we must pass LD 155. Neonics are a toxic problem that we, or rather that our lawmakers can do something about this year.  

Click here to send a message to your lawmakers to urge them to support LD 155.

Thank you in advance for taking action,

Beth