LEARN MORE » “Imagine if more people would put in pollinator plants in small or large gardens or even pots. We could create a patchwork of gardens that pollinators can easily find and travel to, and construct longer migration pathways across a highly populated city. Now, imagine there are 1,000s of them that start to work together as one large ecosystem. This is how individual gardens affect climate issues.” ~ Lisa Negri, SummerHome Garden The Washington Park Pollinator Corridor is a collaborative partnership with People and Pollinators Action Network, Washington Park East Neighborhood Association , West Wash Park Neighborhood Association , SummerHome Garden , and Oasis . Click on map icons below to learn more about each pollinator corridor property. It’s easy to participate in the The Washington Park Pollinator Corridor! Plant native plants. No garden is too small. It can be a 2 x 2 foot part of your yard, a pot on the porch, a window box in your apartment. Find resources on this website including a down-loadable guide book, plant lists, design plans, services to help you install a garden, and more. Fill out this form to let us know what you are doing and to have your participation noted on an interactive map. LEARN MORE »

You can be a part of a regional landscape solution to create a state-wide pollinator haven in Colorado! By converting your backyard or your business property to pollinator safe habitat, you are joining others who are doing the same and changing Colorado for the better, one garden or property at a time. TAKE ACTION SIGN THE PLEDGE Create your own Pollinator-Safe place! You can be a part of a regional landscape solution to create a state-wide pollinator haven in Colorado! By converting your backyard or your business property to pollinator safe habitat, you are joining others who are doing the same and changing Colorado for the better, one garden or property at a time. LEARN MORE LEAD Be a Pollinator Safe Leader! Do you want your neighborhood and local businesses to be safe places for pollinators – and people? One of our main goals is to empower others to be part of creating a Pollinator Safe movement around Colorado. It’s as easy as talking to your neighbors and your local businesses and asking them to sign the pledge! LEARN MORE VOLUNTEER Help maintain our parks for pollinators! We will be planting native plants and weeding in various parks and pollinator gardens around Denver. Work with Parks and Rec Horticulturists and learn about native plants and pollinators while volunteering! Helping maintain our natural areas in our parks enables the city cut down on using chemical herbicides – so it makes a huge difference! LEARN MORE DONATE Here’s what your support does: $50 restores 200 square feet of pollinator habitat. $100 delivers one month of education & outreach via our Pollinator Safe Communities program for one month. $250 gives pollinators a voice with local and state government for one week. DONATE Support Pollinators at home: Plant native plants and don't use pesticides or herbicides to provide safe habitat. Find lists of suitable plants to support pollinators at the Colorado Native Plant Society or at XERCES Society's websites below: Colorado Native Plant Society XERCES.org

The People and Pollinators Action Network’s staff and leaders bring deep knowledge of and experience with pollinator protection, community development, environmental policy, sustainable agriculture, and habitat management. WHO WE ARE ABOUT US The People and Pollinators Action Network’s staff and leaders bring deep knowledge of and experience with pollinator protection, community development, environmental policy, sustainable agriculture, and habitat management. Staff and Board members work closely to forge strategic wins for people, pollinators, and the state of Colorado. VIEW OUR APPROACH OUR TEAM JOYCE KENNEDY PPAN Executive Director Joyce is the Executive Director of PPAN, and a non-voting member of the Board of Directors. In her multi-faceted role, Joyce directs organizational development and project implementation. She leads PPAN’s advocacy work, helps to build our grassroots constituency, and develops community outreach and municipally-based programs. She has worked as an environmental professional for more than 20 years for consulting firms, nonprofits, and the National Park Service. Prior to her work as a pollinator advocate, Joyce’s environmental work focused on rivers in New England, where she was also involved in establishing Connecticut’s statewide ban on pesticides on K-8 school grounds. EMILY KENCAIRN Director of Communications & Development Emily is a Colorado Native Plant Master and certified Pollinator Advocate . She tends a pesticide-free home habitat with over 100 species of plants as well as a large school demonstration garden in her hometown of Boulder, CO. Emily has worked in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors for 25 years focused on fundraising, grantmaking, and movement-building. She is devoted to cultivating biodiversity as a critical component of successful nature-based climate solutions and brings her passion as an artist, writer, and mother to realizing PPAN's vision of a world where both humans and our more-than-human kin thrive in perpetuity. ANNA-GRAY ANDERSON, MENV Community Engagement Manager Anna-Gray is passionate about environmental justice, community resilience, and finding the power and joy in food. She has her Master’s of the Environment from CU Boulder, with a specialization in Sustainable Food Systems. Before moving to Colorado, she earned her B.A. in Environmental Studies from UNC-Chapel Hill, with minors in social and economic justice and global American studies. Her work with PPAN is focused around engaging with community members, collaborating with PPAN’s organizational partners, spearheading events, and managing PPAN’s outreach and education programs. BRET TURNER, MPH Contract Public Health Specialist Bret works as a Hazardous Materials Specialist at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. He holds a Master of Public Health degree from the Colorado School of Public Health with a concentration in Global Environmental and Occupational Health, and his undergraduate degree is in Environmental Resource Management from Penn State University in 2015 with concentrations in Environmental Engineering, Environmental & Renewable Resource Economics, and Watershed and Water Resource Management. Bret helps to facilitate the Colorado Environmental Health Coalition and works on PPAN's healthy schoolyards campaign. BOARD OF DIRECTORS REBECCA DICKSON, Ph.D., PPAN BOARD CHAIR Instructor, University of CO & Co-Chair, Sierra Club, Indian Peaks Chapter Rebecca has a doctorate in English literature and teaches in the University of Colorado’s largest undergraduate program: Writing and Rhetoric. She has published on many topics and served as editor of various Sierra Club publications. She has won regional awards for her work as an activist focused on climate change and the protection of pollinators including PLAN-Boulder County’s environmental award; the Sierra Club-Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Networking Award; and the Charlie Oriez Environmental Award for her political activism. Rebecca is a founding Board Member of PPAN and also serves as co-chair of the Sierra Club-Indian Peaks Group. SUE ANDERSON, PPAN BOARD CO-TREASURER Philanthropist & Non-Profit Executive/Board Member Sue has served as executive staff and on boards for the non-profit sector for 30+ years, primarily in the areas of social justice, the environment, and civic engagement—both in the U.S. and abroad. A deeply engaged and strategic philanthropist, Sue is a founding member of People & Pollinators Action Network and is on the national advisory board of the Union of Concerned Scientists. She also brings her experience as a former regenerative farmer to PPAN’s habitat and policy work, and tends a diverse pollinator habitat at her home. JILL ST AUBIN KING, PPAN BOARD CO-TREASURER Co-Owner, Urban Blum Strongly committed to "zero-chemical" gardening, Jill has built a professional career in organic landscaping beginning in 2004. She is currently co-owner of Urban Blum, which provides natural alternatives to landscape management for commercial mixed use properties. Jill is a dedicated hobbyist beekeeper and works to protect and support her hives and native pollinators by providing a safe habitat in her home garden and the landscapes she maintains. Jill is also the proud mother of three, and when not tending to plants or bees, she can be found outdoors soaking up Colorado's natural beauty or enjoying live music with friends. BETH CONREY Owner, Bee Squared Apiaries Beth previously served as president of the Western Apicultural Society—a one-year stint for the conference host—as well as a six-year term as President for both the Colorado State Beekeepers Association and the Northern Colorado Beekeepers Association. In addition to being a founding Board Member of People & Pollinators Action Network, Beth is Treasurer of the Pollinator Stewardship Council and operates Bee Squared Apiaries, a chemical-free 175-hive beekeeping business in Berthoud, CO. Bee Squared is a 4-time Good Food Award-winning honey producer. Bee Squared is also a Certified B Corp, a proud member of 1% for the Planet, plastic-neutral certified by RePurpose Global, and has received the Slow Food Snail of Approval. LOUISE TURNER CHAWLA, Ph.D. Professor Emerita, Environmental Design, College of Architecture & Planning, University of CO Louise is a Professor Emerita in the Environmental Design Program at the University of Colorado. Her work focuses on the benefits of access to nature for children, the development of active care for the natural world, and participatory methods for engaging youth in design and planning. She serves on the Scientific Advisory Committee of the Children and Nature Network. TIM PLASS, J.D. Lawyer, former City of Boulder Council Member Tim is a long-time Boulder resident, enthusiastic backyard gardener, advocate for a sustainable, local food system, and a community activist. He has served on the Boulder City Council, the City of Boulder Planning Board, and the Landmarks Board. A lawyer by training, Tim received his undergraduate education at Harvard University and his law degree from the University of Denver. His advocacy for sustainable, local food systems and pollinator conservation are invaluable to our community. LIANA STREET Liana and Chad own and operate Bees & Trees, Inc., a family-run business that provides native bee/wasp identification, structural honey bee hive removal and relocation, bumble bee nest relocation, and full service tree services including plant health care for trees that is safe for pollinators and other beneficial insects. Liana spends a lot of her time tabling at community events, attending local farm events and doing school presentations about the importance of pollinators. Through her business and her work with PPAN, Liana educates our community about native bees, honey bees, wasps, and other invertebrates; how to create safe, non-toxic habitats for pollinators, birds, and other wildlife; and the importance of adding native plants and trees to our landscapes. She has been involved with PPAN since 2017 and with Don Murray, co-leads PPAN’s Boulder County chapter. JULIE MORRIS, Ph.D. Full Teaching Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver Julie is a Full Teaching Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Denver. Her work focuses on biology education and outreach, especially environmental education and strategies to improve engagement and learning effectiveness in large introductory and non-major’s biology courses. She is passionate about preserving biodiversity and is actively involved in several sustainability initiatives on campus and in the surrounding community including managing DU’s community garden. ROBERT GREER, J.D. Tenant-Defense Attorney & Native Plant Enthusiast Rob is a tenant-defense nonprofit attorney by day and a native-plant advocate by night. His favorite native plants include western sand cherry, bee balm, and prickly pear, and he grows thousands of native plants each year for our local plant swap and for Indigenous groups. Rob takes a special interest in the public health benefits of urban native plants: shade, water conservation, local food, storm runoff, and temperature moderation. He also values their benefits for native fauna, as well as for their sheer beauty. Rob is an alum of U.C.L.A. and the University of Chicago Law School, and lives in Denver with his wife and two young children. DON MURRAY NOAA Meteorologist & Beekeeper Don is a meteorologist working at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on issues related to climate change and renewable energy. He stopped using pesticides in his yard and started planting flowers for pollinators in 2007, started keeping honeybees in 2013, and became a leader in local pollinator protection in 2014. Don worked with the Boulder County PPAN chapter to encourage the City of Longmont to reduce/eliminate the use of pesticides on city property and frequently works outreach events and teaches kids about pollinators at a summer Yoga Arts Camp, because he believes children to be the future in the fight to save pollinators and planet. Don and his wife, Diana, operate Buddha And The Bees, producing pure beeswax candles, all-natural personal care products, and honey from their chemical-free hives and gardens. LORRAINE DIXON-JONES Policy Advisor, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Lorraine has served as a policy advisor for over 25 years at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, where she was involved with the regulation of healthcare facilities. Before that, she worked as a policy analyst at the Colorado State Legislature as well as at the National Conference of State Legislatures. She has a B.A. in International Studies from Allegheny College and a Masters in Sociology from UC Denver. VANESSA ARMSTRONG Consultant and Project Manager, Osborne Organics Vanessa has been advocating to reduce and eliminate synthetic pesticides and fertilizers in her community since 2010. Her vision is to create social change towards a healthier future for our children and planet by creating awareness, legislative action, and market shifts. Originally from CA, where Vanessa had many pesticide wins, she's now based in Colorado and ready to continue the work. She works with the national leading expert in organic landscapes to help facilitate municipalities transition from conventional to organic landscape practices. Vanessa believes that healing the soil with organic practices will have a positive impact on human and environmental health. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business from California State University, Long Beach, a Permaculture Design Certificate from The Ecology Center in San Juan Capistrano and is an Accredited Organic Land Care Professional (AOLCP). ADVISORS AMY LEWIS Chief Executive Officer, The WILD Foundation Amy is an award-winning nonprofit leader and scholar of environmental policy. Her research as a social movement scholar explores the relationship between democratic decision-making and policies that benefit the environment. She is currently Chief Executive Officer of the WILD Foundation, where she is committed to building global support for the protection of ‘Half of Earth’s lands and seas’ while also strengthening and expanding the land tenure of Indigenous Peoples, nature’s best guardians. WEBSITE DESIGNER IDELLE FISHER Website Designer, Graphic Designer, & Gardener Idelle is an avid gardener and runs an organic community garden in Denver where she's worked with the members to create pollinator habitat featuring many native plants. Idelle also has a large organic landscape and garden at home and recently replaced her front lawn with a native plant bed. She volunteers with PPAN and Front Range Wild Ones at native plant swaps and in Denver Parks to help take care of the city's pollinator beds . Idelle grew up in Thornton, Colorado and is a DU Alumni. In addition to gardening, she paints watercolors, sketches, and loves taking photos of gardens, homegrown veggies and pollinators. She runs her own business offering Website Design and Graphic Design, and loves working with green clients that are helping to change the world for the better. Check out her website at: picklewix.com

Take Action for Local Control of Pesticide Use In order to pass the Local Government Authority to Regulate Pesticides bill, we need YOUR help! Contact your legislators to voice your support of HB24-1178 and urge them to bring the bill to the House Floor for a vote ! Follow the steps below to take action TODAY. Script for calling/emailing [personalize with your own words whenever possible]: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I'm your constituent calling from [Your Location]. I am calling today to express my support for the Local Government Authority to Regulate Pesticides Bill HB24-1178 . Expanded local control would allow communities to protect water sources, create buffer zones to protect natural resources, and increase protections for vulnerable populations such as children. [Optional] Share a brief personal story or connection to the issue if you have one. I believe that my community should have the option to adopt local ordinances that could protect unique resources and community health. Under current state law, this is not possible. I urge [Name of Legislator/Local Official] to support the Local Government Authority to Regulate Pesticides bill and to bring the bill to the House Floor for a vote. Please ensure that Colorado's diverse landscapes and communities are supported by giving municipalities limited local control to decide what's best for them.” Check out our General, Climate Change, Environmental Justice, & Addressing Misconceptions Fact S heets. Just click on a thumbnail! Call and/or email your state legislators to ask for their support of HB24-1178 . Find your legislator here: https://leg.colorado.gov/find-my-legislator Advocacy Tips

Coalitions Coalitions are one of the many ways we collaborate with other groups, businesses, and non-profits to move the needle on pollinator conservation, ecosystem recovery, and public health protection. We are proud to have co-founded the Colorado Environmental Health Coalition, Colorado Native Landscaping Coalition, and Colorado Pollinator Network, as well as to be members of the Cool Boulder Campaign and Regenerative Recovery Coalition. 01 Colorado Environmental Health Coalition The CEHC is working to build capacity and support for a coordinated toxics reduction strategy to protect people across Colorado from chemical toxics that are ubiquitous in our air, water, communities, and consumer products. We are leveraging the diverse expertise of this network of legislators, academics, health and environmentally-focused organizations, and agencies through education, research, and advocacy. Unfortunately, Colorado has few laws protecting people, wildlife, and natural ecosystems. At a time when a toxic-free environment is critical to good health, particularly in disadvantaged communities, the CEHC is developing solutions and strategies to address this gap—interested in joining? Contact info@peopleandpollinators.org ! 02 Colorado Native Landscaping Coalition The Colorado Native Landscaping Coalition (CNLC) is a growing coalition of mission-aligned organizations working in collaboration to advance policies that will transform landscaping across Colorado. 03 Colorado Pollinator Network The Colorado Pollinator Network is a collaboration of organizations making a positive impact on the health of pollinators. We share best practices, research, resources, and knowledge to support education, habitat conservation, creation and restoration initiatives. 04 Cool Boulder Campaign Cool Boulder is a long-term campaign to create partnerships between the City of Boulder, the people of Boulder, and local partner organizations to implement natural climate solutions. 05 Metro Denver Nature Alliance Metro Denver Nature Alliance (Metro DNA) is a growing coalition of more than 60 non-profit, government, academic, and private sector members aligned around the mission of championing more equitable access to nature and promoting healthy people, communities, and natural places in the metro Denver region.

VOLUNTEER IN PARKS Volunteer to support no-spray community spaces throughout the state! Colorado’s pesticide-free parks thrive because of people like you. Volunteers help keep these spaces healthy and safe by pulling weeds, planting native flowers, and supporting habitats where pollinators can flourish—without harmful chemicals. Whether you have an hour or a whole afternoon, your time makes a real difference. Come get your hands in the dirt and be part of a growing effort to protect the parks we all love. Volunteer in Denver Parks Volunteer in Golden Parks Volunteer in Eldorado Canyon State Park

POLLINATOR SAFE BUSINESSES NoCO Nurseries MD Nurseries Support Pollinators at home: p lant native plants and don't use pesticides or herbicides to provide safe habitat. Find lists of suitable plants to support pollinators at the Colorado Native Plant Society or at XERCES Society's websites below: Colorado Native Plant Society Shop at Pollinator Safe Retailers! Use these Pollinator Safe Businesses and tell them we sent you! What? How are plants not safe for bees? Sadly, it has become an industry-wide practice to preventatively treat nursery plants with systemic pesticides that persist in the plant and soil. A class of systemics called Neonicotinoids (or Neonics) are of particular concern to bees and have become ubiquitous in the industry. Research shows that these toxins can persist in plants from 18 months to 3 years, slowly adding to the toxic load of insects using their flowers for pollen and nectar. As more and more people, communities, and neighborhoods pledge to be “pollinator safe,” consumers want to make sure that the plants and garden products they buy will not harm pollinators. We are continually building our list of Colorado businesses that have pledged to carry pollinator safe plants and products. Nonetheless, it is always important to ask the staff at these businesses whether plants or soil have been treated already with pesticides and whether the plants you are interested in will attract pollinators. You can also ask your favorite nursery for more information and for more transparency about growing practices and plant sources. Please see the lists below of pollinator safe retailers, landscape and lawn care providers, tree care companies, farms, and food companies. We will keep adding to this list! A good rule of thumb is to buy organic. All products labeled “organic” should be free of pesticides. Click the icons below to see our most recent pollinator-safe nursery lists for Metro Denver and Northern Colorado! XERCES.org Arvada Nurseries Echter’s Nursery 5150 Garrison St. Arvada, CO 80002 Giambrocco and Sons Garden Center 14005 W 64th Ave. Arvada, CO 80004 Boulder Nurseries BBB seeds 6595 Odell Pl. Boulder, CO 80301 Growing Gardens 1630 Hawthorn Ave. Boulder, CO 80304 Harlequin’s Gardens 4795 N. 26th St. Boulder, CO 80301 Simply Bee Conservation Serves the whole Front Range Urban Farm 2244 Spruce St. Boulder, CO 80302 Longmont Nurseries Fresh Herb Company 4114 Oxford Rd. Longmont, CO 80504 Flower Bin 1805 Nelson Rd. Longmont, CO 80501 Other Colorado & Online Stores Alpaca Gold Organic Fertilizer alpacagold13@gmail.com | (970) 640-0127 Birdstory Nursery birdstorynursey@gmail.com | Paonia, CO Indian Peaks Ace Hardware 74 Hwy 119 South, Nederland, CO 80466 Urban Garden 619 N 96th St. Louisville, CO 80027 Garden Design, Landscaping & Lawn Care Bee Good Gardening beegoodgardensco@gmail.com | (719) 290-3547 | Colorado Springs Clean Air Lawn Care DianneD@cleanairlawncare.com | Northern Colorado ClimateScaping info@climatescaping.com | Front Range Earth Love Gardens aaron@earthlovegardens.com | (720) 295-8582 | Front Range Eco-Designs for Life info@eco-designsforlife.com | (720) 324-6706 | Longmont EcoLogical Lawn and Tree Care info@ecologicallawncare.com | (303) 444-3456 | Boulder Ecoscape Environmental Design admin@ecoscapedesign.com | (303) 447-2282 | Boulder County Edaphic Solutions connect@edaphicsolutions.com | (720) 633-5072 | State-Based Ford Construction and Landscaping ford.janaka@gmail.com | (303) 939-9759 | Boulder Grow Boulder hello@grow-boulder.com | (720) 453-0886 | Boulder Honeywood Garden Design info@honeywoodgardendesign.com | Denver Meadowlark Garden Design jskilby@gmail.com | (970) 260-0355 | Northern CO Meadow Pro curtis@meadowpro.com | (720) 635-9398 | Lafayette Oasis alex@plantanoasis.org | Denver One Earth Landscapers jim@oneearthlandscape.com | (303) 545-9231 | Boulder County Roaming Roots Garden roamingrootsgarden@gmail.com | Boulder and Longmont Timberline Gardens Landscaping shelly.beyer0087@gmail.com | Metro-Denver Area The Barefoot Gardener barefootgardener@gmail.com | (720) 340-8425 | Boulder True Nature Gardens LLC emily@truenaturegardens.com | (970) 430-6873 | Fort Collins Urban Oasis info@urbanoasisdesign.com | (303) 823-2389 | Boulder WaterSHED watershedlandscape@gmail.com | (303) 668-9201 | Longmont Wild by Design mimi.elmore@wildbydesignhabitats.com | (303) 823-0856 | Lyons Wild Harvest Company samantha@wildharvestcompany.com | (720) 743-4633 | Denver Wild Rose Landscaping ellie@wildroselandscaping.com | Denver Tree Care Bees and Trees Inc. Chad Street, Arborist | info@beesandtreesinc.com | (303) 669-9520 Berkelhammer Tree Experts Fred Berkelhammer | fred@berkelhammer.com | (303) 443-1233 Colorado Tree Care Will Pittenger | (303) 499-3722 Steven Pfeiffer, Arborist (303) 449-3349 Pollinator Safe Farms & Food Companies Aspen Moon Farms 8020 Hygiene Rd, Longmont, CO 80503 Bee Squared Apiaries Berthoud, CO Black Cat Bistro & Farm 1964 13th Street, Boulder, CO 80302 Cure Organic Farm 7416 Valmont Rd, Boulder, CO 80301 First Fruits Organic Farms 40565 O Rd, Paonia, CO 81428 Grow Girl Organics Farm 12229 W 80th Ave, Arvada, CO 80005 Honeyacre Enterprises Ltd. 8052 Co Rd I, Wiggins, CO 80654 Oxford Gardens 10145 Oxford Road, Longmont, CO 80504 FOE Bee-Friendly Retailer Card If you want to take the pledge to be pollinator safe and have your company appear on this list, email joyce@peopleandpollinators.org

People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) offers this guide for best practices for a pollinator friendly habitat across Colorado. POLLINATOR SAFE COMMUNITIES GUIDE GUIDE FOR POLLINATOR SAFE COMMUNITIES People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) works across Colorado to promote sustainable agricultural practices, safeguard public health, and improve our environment by fostering a strong movement to build community awareness, change policies and support best practices in the use of chemical pesticides and pollinator friendly habitat management. Our vision is to make Colorado a pollinator haven—a place where bees, bats and butterflies will thrive. DOWNLOAD GUIDE PDF How are we creating change? Work with government officials and state agencies to adopt pollinator friendly policies and practices at the local and state level. Promote and connect widespread pollinator safe habitats by creating Pollinator Safe Communities. Work with businesses, farmers and beekeepers to encourage pollinator safe product sales and practices. Educate and train residential, commercial, agricultural and public land managers to find ways to protect pollinators and promote healthy habitat. Serve as a resource for anyone interested in creating pollinator safe habitat. What's at stake? Pollinators, both native and introduced species, are essential to overall ecosystem health and to agricultural productivity. Protecting pollinators can be challenging in the face of habitat loss along with climate change and pesticide misapplication and overuse. All of these issues contribute to lowered immune systems making pollinators more susceptible to pests and pathogens. Loss of these essential creatures to our biodiversity threatens ecological stability around the world. Creating Pollinator Safe Communities People and Pollinators Action Network is encouraging land owners and managers to create pollinator refuges by converting backyards and other properties to pollinator safe habitat. The message is straightforward – plant organic plants/seeds and eliminate the use of pesticides on the landscape and speak to others about doing the same. Safe havens for pollinators mean that there is healthy food and shelter for our pollinating wildlife. Through education we can encourage people to change their land management practices and become more active on this issue. By joining others that are doing the same we can change Colorado one garden or property at a time. Dear Pollinator Safe Community Leader, Thank you for making a commitment to support pollinators! It is because of people like you that we are able to create habitat and change the way people think about and interact with pesticides. Neighbor to neighbor education and outreach is an effective tool in a time when residents feel powerless in the face of large-scale environmental threats. Pollinator Safe Leaders are our strength around Colorado: you reach out to neighbors, community members, business owners and leaders, collect pollinator safe pledges and employ outreach strategies that work best for you. You don’t have to know all the answers or know every person who lives in your neighborhood or community. You don’t have to do all the work yourself. Being a Pollinator Safe Leader requires little more than dedication, drive and a passion to grow the pollinator-safe movement in Colorado. This Guide includes a copy of the Pollinator Safe Pledge and ideas for conducting outreach and education in your community. Sign up to be a Pollinator Safe Leader and to receive resources and tips for creating a pollinator haven here: BE A POLLINATOR SAFE LEADER Overview: Steps to Creating a Pollinator Safe Community Designate a Pollinator Safe Leader or gather a team that would like to build safe habitat in their communities. Set short- and long-term goals to measure success. A short-range goal could be holding an educational meeting/gathering on your block to explain the importance of providing blooming plants for wildlife throughout the growing season and reducing and eliminating pesticide use. A long-term goal could be establishing a block of pollinator safe properties. Provide resources to the community regarding pollinator safe, region appropriate plantings and natural management strategies. Ask neighbors or other property managers to sign PPAN’s Pollinator Safe Pledge . Pledgers can choose to have their property displayed on a public map . Watching habitat expand is inspiring! Display a pollinator habitat yard sign to indicate that a pledge has been signed and to spark conversations with neighbors. Determine what educational strategies work best in your community (neighborhood presentations/tips, plant exchanges, kid-related activities, community plantings, partnering with businesses, etc.) Continue to spread the message by choosing at least three activities per year from suggested activities included below and in this Guide . Speak with neighborhood organizations about creating pollinator habitat , nurseries about providing organic plants and local leaders about what can be accomplished city-wide by using pollinator safe land management practices. Let us know about your successes and challenges. Send stories, photos or videos to be shared in the PPAN Enews or on social media. Suggested Activities Ask community members to sign PPAN’s Pollinator Safe Pledge (print out copies of the Pledge from this guide or direct people to sign the Pledge on the PPAN website here. Aim to collect ten new pledges each year. Pass paper pledges back to PPAN so pollinator safe properties can be displayed on the website map. Watch the habitat areas grow! Sign up new Pollinator Safe Leaders here . Join a PPAN local chapter. Host an informational gathering or potluck for community members to learn more about the issue. Provide resources such as plant lists and sources of safe plants and seeds. Ask people to display the Colorado Pollinator Habitat sign . It’s a good conversation starter! Contact PPAN to receive habitat signs for a suggested donation of ten dollars. Speak with local and state leaders about the issue. Host a pollinator safe plant and/or seed exchange in the spring or fall. Host a pollinator themed event. Show a film about the importance of pollinators. Speak to local nurseries about supplying organic and native plants/seeds and alternatives to pesticides. Let PPAN know if you are aware of a local business that has a pollinator safe philosophy and we’ll add them to our list of pollinator-safe businesses. If you are a resident of a Homeowner’s Association speak with the board and/or land managers about their current landscaping practices and your concern for human and pollinator health. Host a natural lawn care management workshop. It can be challenging to convince homeowners and other property managers that the landscape can be managed without the use of harmful pesticides. Providing simple steps for success can support the transition away from synthetic pesticide and fertilizer use. Encourage property owners/managers to transition from turf to pollinator habitat. Track the amount of turf removed in your community and number of pollinator safe plants added. Host a PPAN educational table at a local event. Host a native bee house-building workshop. Be a citizen scientist! Organize a neighborhood pollinator bio blitz and/or use the iNaturalist app to identify and track pollinators species found in yards and communities. This is a fun and educational way to learn more about the diversity of pollinator species and encourage some friendly competition amongst neighbors. Track increased diversity of pollinating wildlife as pollinator habitat grows! DOWNLOAD GUIDE PDF

Welcome to Colorado Pollinator Month! This is the time to celebrate and raise awareness about the importance of pollinators and their critical role in our ecosystems. COLORADO POLLINATOR MONTH June is Colorado Pollinator Month Since 2017, at PPAN's behest, the Governor’s office has designated the entire month of June as Colorado Pollinator Month to celebrate our state’s biodiversity and raise awareness about the important roles that pollinators play in preserving ecosystems and human health, as well as agricultural productivity. POLLINATOR MONTH EVENTS » READ PROCLAMATION PDF » Participate In Colorado Pollinator Month Get a CO Pollinator Month T-Shirt Every purchase supports PPAN! Each June, Colorado takes time to celebrate our pollinators and the many ways we can help protect them. To celebrate, we're launching limited edition My MILKWEED Brings All the BUGS to the Yard t-shirts that you can only get during Colorado Pollinator Month! GET SHIRTS PLEDGE to Be Pesticide-Free Sign the Pollinator-Safe Properties Pledge Add your home, business, school, place of worship, community garden, or farm, to a map of safe havens for people, birds, pets, and pollinators. The map provides anonymized research data and inspires neighbors to join you. SIGN THE PLEDGE PROTECT Pollinators License Plate Every plate creates new habitat and grows this movement! Support pollinators everywhere you go by ordering Protect Pollinator specialty plates for your car or motorcycle. Plate donations fund PPAN's statewide Habitat Grants Program. ORDER PLATES PLANT a Habitat Garden Restore biodiversity, feed the bees, and enjoy the flowers! Whether you're 'Coloradoscaping' with all native plants, adding floral forage to your vegetable garden, or planting prairie strips on your farm, every single plant counts! Get involved in habitat gardening today! LEARN MORE Report Your Bug Sightings All Month & Join Us for The Big Day of Bugs Post your photos of pollinators daily on iNaturalist, a community science project: Post on iNaturalist » More about Community Science » Our June Pollinator Month Events: First Gentleman Speaker Series: Protecting Colorado’s Pollinators Tue, Jun 30 Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Ma More info Details Big Day of Bugs 2026 Fri, Jun 26 Denver Botanic Gardens More info Details Harlequin's Gardens: Organic Lawn Management Sun, Jun 21 Harlequin's Gardens More info Details Understanding and Protecting Fireflies Webinar Wed, Jun 17 Webinar More info Details Harlequin's Gardens x Wild Ones: Getting Started with Natives Sun, Jun 14 Harlequin's Gardens More info Details 6th Annual Ollin Farms Pollinator Safe Plant Exchange Sat, Jun 13 Ollin Farms More info Details Louisville Bee City USA Pollinator Garden Tour Sat, Jun 13 Louisville More info Details Conservation Gardens Fair Sat, Jun 13 Northern Water More info Details Mothapalooza: A Magical World of Moths! Thu, Jun 11 Beech Shelter More info Details Multiple Dates SoCoPPAN Chapter Meeting Thu, Jun 11 Zoom More info Details Multiple Dates Northern Colorado PPAN Chapter Meeting Wed, Jun 10 https://forms.gle/hS6eJ5sZdVsmYK5X8 More info Learn more Multiple Dates Metro Denver PPAN Chapter Meeting Wed, Jun 10 https://forms.gle/hS6eJ5sZdVsmYK5X8 More info Details Harlequin's Gardens: Water-Wise Landscaping Sun, Jun 07 Harlequin's Gardens More info Details Blooms & Buzz Wash Park East Garden Tour Sat, Jun 06 Washington Park More info Details Ollin Farms: Pollinator Festival Sat, Jun 06 Ollin Farms More info Details Lyons Pollinator Power! Sat, Jun 06 Sandstone Park More info Details Spring Plant Sale + Rock & Reuse Sat, Jun 06 Resource Central: Reuse & Conservation More info Details FoCo EcoFest & Xeriscape Garden Party Sat, Jun 06 Washington Park More info Details EVENT CALENDAR Learn About Colorado’s Unique Native Pollinators COLORADO NATIVE POLLINATING INSECTS HEALTH STUDY Learn more about Colorado insects on this interactive map BELOW. Roll over or click on the insects to learn more and also view the Pollinator Study and the state bill that made it possible. Insects, often underestimated, play a remarkable role in our state's landscapes. Not only are they cool, but they are also vital contributors to essential ecosystem services. From pollination to waste decomposition, insects support Colorado's diverse landscapes, from the mountains to the rivers. Join us as we delve into the world of this fascinating wildlife and learn about the Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Study (2024) report! Margined Calligrapher Syrphid Flies (Toxomerus marginatus) are widely distributed across North America, from Canada to Mexico. LEARN MORE Rollover the insects above to learn about them Illustrations by Faith Williams Dyrsten The Colorado Hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus) became our official state insect in 1996, thanks to a campaign led by Colorado 4th graders! LEARN MORE Tegeticula yuccasella , a species of Yucca Moth , shares an important mutualistic relationship with Soapweed Yucca. LEARN MORE Bombus occidentalis, the Western Bumblebee , inhabits a wide array of environments in western North America—from lowland agricultural areas to high alpine meadows. LEARN MORE The Pueblo Digger Bee (Anthophora pueblo) is named in honor of the ancestral Pueblo peoples, who built cliff dwellings in the Four Corners region more than 700 years ago. LEARN MORE The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) stands out with its eye-catching metallic blue-black color LEARN MORE American Rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina americana) add a splash of color to stream and river habitats across North America. LEARN MORE Dufourea maura (Black Short-faced Bees) are specialists on one of Colorado’s most eye-catching wildflowers – the Harebell (Campanula sp. )! LEARN MORE Agapostemon coloradinus (the Colorado Striped Sweat Bee ) is a colorful creature named after a colorful state! LEARN MORE Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetles (Cicindela theatina) , named for their distinctive coloring and predatory behaviors, are found only in Colorado's Great Sand Dunes National Park. LEARN MORE The Snowberry Clearwing Moth (Hemaris diffinis) has dramatic transparent wings, fuzzy striped bodies, and a hovering flight pattern. LEARN MORE Xenoglossa strenua is one species of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as Squash Bees. LEARN MORE Vella fallax belongs to a group of insects called Antlions. Larvae construct pit traps in loose soil and lie in wait just beneath the surface for ants or other insects to fall in. LEARN MORE Parallel Leaf Cutter Bee (Megachile parallela ) is a solitary species with remarkable architectural skills and a strong preference for sunflowers. LEARN MORE The Hunt Bumble Bee (Bombus huntii ) is one of Colorado’s distinctive medium sized bumblebees with a colorful rust-orange band on their fuzzy rump. LEARN MORE Though not native to North America, honey bees (Apis mellifera ) have become integral to Colorado's agricultural landscape, particularly in alfalfa production across the state's eastern plains. LEARN MORE The Twelve Spotted Skimmer (Libellula pulchella ) is a large, conspicuous dragonfly commonly found around Colorado's ponds, lakes, and slow-moving streams where sedges grow along the water's edge. LEARN MORE The Uncompahgre Fritillary (Boloria acrocnema ) is one of Colorado’s rarest butterflies and is federally listed as an Endangered Species. LEARN MORE MORE ABOUT THE STUDY »

Growing Community Gardens in Memory of Sunia Sunia Baker-Breningstall was a lover of nature—especially birds, insects, snakes, and all manner of creatures whom she befriended in her mother's garden, The Sunny Bug Farmette. She would often sit quietly for hours, sketchbook in hand, observing and drawing what she saw. The Farmette is located in Observatory Park in Denver, and is a historically preserved half-acre that has been lovingly transformed into multiple gardens that feed people and wildlife alike. There are raised beds for food cultivation, a wild meadow, a small orchard, crevice gardens and lots of pollinator-friendly perennials, including mostly native and xeric regionally adapted species. "Sunny Bug" was one of Sunia's nicknames, a perfect reflection of her spirit. Both Sunia and her mother, Donna Baker-Breningstall, have been instrumental in community garden projects for many years, including establishing a pollinator garden at Denver Academy, where Sunia attended high school. Donna is a long-time Colorado Master Gardener whose urban oasis produces bushels of food for community food pantries while creating an abundance of native plant habitat for pollinators. She is a former Board Member of Sprout City Farm and a current Board Member of Slow Food Denver, as well as a supporter of Grow Local, and many other worthy causes. Donna's philanthropy in memory of her wonderfully kind and creative daughter has taken root in helping to expand PPAN's Habitat Grants Program in 2024 and 2025. We are thrilled to be partnering with her to honor Sunia's gentle, generous spirit by enabling new public pollinator garden projects to thrive. Sunia passed away in 2020 at the age of 28. Through the Sunny Bug Garden Habitat Grant, her careful attention to the wellbeing of the smallest creatures and her generous spirit will continue to inspire visitors who may never have known her. Please come explore some of the projects funded in Sunia’s memory. Sunny Bug Grantees Montessori Children's House of Denver (MCHD) With these funds MCHD will transform 8,800 square feet of land into a thriving pollinator habitat. Serving students aged 1 to 12, this habitat will offer an interactive learning space to teach students about biodiversity, environmental stewardship, and the critical role of pollinators in our ecosystem. FrontLine Farming FrontLine Farming will use these funds to expand its pollinator habitat at Majestic View Farm in Arvada, CO, doubling their dedicated pollinator area, and supporting four beehives as well as providing essential habitat for native pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This project aligns with FrontLine Farming’s mission of food justice, community education, and ecological stewardship. Sand Creek Regional Greenway Partnership (SCRGP) This project will enhance SCRGP’s existing pollinator garden in Commerce City, CO, a traditionally underserved part of the Denver Metro area with minimal greenspace. The garden is located at a site previously used as a construction dumping ground and has since been converted into a recreational trail and open space area. Increased biodiversity at the site will benefit the surrounding ecosystem and the human communities who use the space, providing unique opportunities for youth and adults to learn about the importance of pollinators and take part in the creation of pollinator habitat. Back To All Habitat Fund Grants