Pollinators

Severe population declines indicate pollinators are in trouble, and as an integral component of biodiversity and ecological health, New Jersey Audubon is acting. While NJ beekeepers report nearly half their honeybees die off each year (significantly higher than the national average), the wild native pollinators that play critical roles in the production of economically important NJ crops, such as blueberries, cranberries and tomatoes are also in trouble. The Rusty Patched Bumblebee was once commonly distributed across the east including New Jersey and Midwest but has disappeared from 87% of its range. It was included on the endangered species list in 2017.

Join New Jersey Audubon’s Campaign to Restrict Neonicotinoids

Chemical exposure—especially to the class of insecticides known as neonicotinoids—exacerbates the impacts of other threats to pollinators such as habitat loss, climate change and disease. If not outright death, neonicotinoid exposure can result in effects such as disorientation, lack of ability to perform needed survival tasks and decreased reproductive ability. Neonicotinoids are registered for use on hundreds of different crops and are widely available to the public for home and garden use. The chemicals move easily through our soils and to our waters, and research indicates impacts to other non-target organisms besides pollinators, including aquatic invertebrates, birds and possibly humans.

NJ Audubon is tackling this problem from many angles, including advocacy. Our efforts led to the passage of the first ever legal protection for native pollinators, improved notifications for beekeepers prior to pesticide spraying, and training requirements related to pollinators for pesticide applicators, among others. Now, we are tackling the problem of neonicotinoids specifically by working to restrict outdoor use. JOIN US in this effort by emailing the Governor and the Legislature and donating to fund our pollinator conservation efforts. Learn more here: