Find out what People and Pollinators Action Network has been accomplishing in our news blog. NEWS STAY UP-TO-DATE ON PPAN HAPPENINGS HERE & ON SOCIAL MEDIA Meet the Pollinators You've Been Swatting Away Webinar When we talk about pollinators, bees and butterflies typically come to mind– but they're far from the whole story. Join PPAN and the Butterfly Pavilion for a closer look at one of nature's most under appreciated pollinators: flies! Across gardens, farms, and wild edges, flies are moving pollen; and in higher elevations, they are some of our most important pollinators. In this webinar, you'll explore the ecology and life history of the order Diptera, their role in pollination Planting Party for Pollinators Hey Neighbor, a 2025 Habitat Fund Grantee, is 5 planting parties in, and the Stratton Meadows neighborhood is starting to transform into an edible, beautiful, and water-wise oasis. On May 30th, 20 volunteers, including Hey Neighbor staff, Stratton Meadows neighbors, Colorado College students, and Fountain Creek Watershed staff spent six hours transforming the front yard of neighbor Joel Adams. Together, they planted 60 shrubs and perennials, including fruit trees, berry bushe Understanding and Protecting Fireflies in Colorado with Dr. Orit Peleg In this webinar with CU Boulder's Dr. Orit Peleg of The Peleg Lab, we dive into the fascinating world of fireflies—their biology, their language of light, the threats putting them at risk, and how to protect them at home and in your community. Business Sponsor Spotlight: The Apiarian Home The Apiarian Home is a beeswax fragrance and apitherapy business based in Fort Collins. Their five fragrances are inspired by the intelligence of a honeybee colony. Each scent is drawn from a role and place within the colony. Like the hive itself, they are designed to collectively support your daily rhythms and rituals. Together, they form a holistic collection to bring the essence of nature into your home. Buy some of Apiarian Home products! A portion of every sale goes dir Happy Colorado Pollinator Month! Governor Polis has designated June as Colorado Pollinator Month to celebrate and raise awareness about the important roles that pollinators play in preserving biodiversity; agricultural productivity; and in sustaining the health of ourselves and our ecosystems! Join us in June each year for educational programs, community events, and conservation efforts throughout the state! AND, bring a friend to help spread awareness about how to ensure the health of these essential specie Mosquito Control: Science, Risks, and Solutions Webinar With a flier in the mail or a door-to-door sales visit, you’ll notice many mosquito control companies offering to spray your yard this time of year. Though this may seem like a quick and easy way to deal with mosquitoes, it’s often an ineffective control strategy. Worse, these insecticides are toxic to pollinators and other beneficial insects and may pose a risk to people, too. Check out the webinar recording below to learn about the risks residential mosquito sprays pose to Beat the Bite: 6 Ways to Keep Mosquitoes Away This Season Mosquitoes are annoying at best and a real health concern at worst— even though they are technically pollinators. But you don't have to just put up with them. A few targeted changes around your home and yard can dramatically cut down on bites with no chemicals required. Create a biodiverse landscape with native plants to encourage beneficial wildlife and natural mosquito predators, such as birds, bats and dragonflies . Eliminate standing water regularly from your property whe HB26-1132: Practices to Support Pollinators Approved by the Legislature! The legislative body has demonstrated a meaningful commitment to the conservation and restoration of our scenic landscapes– making Colorado even more colorful by passing, HB26-1332 Practices to Support Pollinators. What the Law Will Mean The 2024 Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study made something clear: habitat loss and non-native plants are some of the primary drivers of pollinator decline in Colorado. It also pointed to what the state should do about it– priori How Flowers Made Our World Webinar Flowers are revolutionaries. When flowering plants evolved, they swiftly transformed the planet, and their productivity sustains much of life today. From rainforests to prairies to seagrass meadows, much of the Earth’s diversity is now directly dependent on flowering plants. Without flowers, primates would not have evolved and our ancestors would never have ventured beyond the forest in grasslands. Using examples from his latest book, How Flowers Made Our World, David Haskell What’s on Your Plate? A Quick Guide to the Dirty Dozen Each year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) puts out its Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce , highlighting what’s known as the “ Dirty Dozen ”, a list of fruits and veggies that tend to carry the highest levels of pesticide residues. Photo from EWG. And it’s not just obscure items—it’s some of our everyday staples. Strawberries, spinach, kale, grapes, apples… foods many of us toss into our carts without a second thought. To be clear, this isn’t about scaring anyon Say NO 🚨 to PFAS on CO public lands and YES to growing, eating, growing and legislating native plants! Happy spring, pollinator people! As the equinox approaches, we hope you're finding that elusive balance between care for the earth and concern for our fellow earthlings. If you do find yourself wavering, we invite you to go outside and say hello to an emerging plant, look for the first buzzing insects (who will definitely be out and about with this week's high temps), and support pollinators in whatever ways you can—through loving , learning , and supporting policies that pr Safer, Not Sicker: Why Strong Protections from Toxic Chemicals Matter Under the Trump administration, the office that approves pesticides remains fully staffed and moving faster than ever. The office that fact-checked those approvals is gone. The EPA has eliminated its Office of Research and Development — the division responsible for the independent science used to evaluate industry-submitted safety claims — while accelerating pesticide approvals , renewing approval of the drift-prone herbicide dicamba , and invoking the Defense Production Ac Tell Food Companies to Reject GMO Wheat! Post written by Friends of the Earth . What if you found out the wheat in your bread, pasta, and cereal was genetically engineered and sprayed with a TOXIC herbicide? This could soon become our reality if we don’t act. A new kind of genetically engineered (GMO) wheat was just approved in the U.S., and we need to stop it before it enters our food system. This new GMO wheat – called HB4 – is engineered to tolerate glufosinate, a highly toxic herbicide banned in the European Un Edible Native Plants of Colorado Webinar Discover how Colorado’s native plants can nourish both people and pollinators! In this webinar, we’ll dive into Colorado-native plants you can eat, why they matter for local ecosystems, and how to grow vegetables in ways that actively support pollinators. Participants will gain region-specific guidance, garden design tips, and actionable steps to create productive gardens that give back to wildlife. View Idelle's Slides | View Rob's Slides Thank you to our speakers! Idelle F Bee Survival Struggles: The Role of Neonics Webinar Check out this webinar from the Seed We Need Coalition, NRDC, the Pueblo County Beekeepers Association, and PPAN on Bee Survival Struggles: The Role of Neonics . This webinar features Judy Wu-Smart from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Judy Wu-Smart has degrees in Zoology and Entomology, and she has researched the effects of pesticide residue accumulation in brood comb on honey bee health. Her PhD research examined the effects of systemic neonicotinoid insecticides on hon Today is the day to Save the SEED Act ☎️ + Pollinator News & Events Hi there, changemakers. The "Strengthening Economic and Environmental Decisions" (SEED) Act—SB26-065—needs your help today. The CO Senate Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee will vote this Thursday (2/26) on whether to kill the bill in Committee or send it on for a full debate on the Senate floor. Now is the time to call the members of the 'Ag Committee' and tell them why you want them to advance SB26-065 (sponsored by Senators Wallace and Kipp and Representatives Brow Inside the Colorado Legislature: Pollinator Protection in the 2026 Session Webinar & Resources Colorado’s 2026 legislative session is underway– and several important bills could have lasting impacts on pollinators, wildlife, and native habitats. The webinar will feature: An overview of the legislative process and the legislative outlook A closer look at three of PPAN’s Legislative Priorities: Native Plant Bill, HB26-1132 : expanding state access to and use of native plants Rodenticide Bill, SB26-062 : prohibiting toxic rodenticides The SEED Act, SB26-065 : limiting us From vegetables to a community by Becky Dickson By Rebecca Dickson, PPAN board chair and vice chair of the Sierra Club-Indian Peaks Group Our city and our nation face many challenges right now: concerns about the environment, locally, nationally, internationally; issues with the quality of our food, from pesticide toxins to forever chemicals to microplastics. And nutritious food is more expensive than ever. On top of this, the national turmoil just does not stop. It can leave us all feeling alienated and alone and powerle Time to call your legislators for pollinators & environmental health ☎️ Through the Colorado Environmental Health Coalition, PPAN is supporting 9 important bills—from pesticides to plastic pollution to wildlife to energy systems. Read on for ways to get involved and more pollinator news! 🐝 📰 😊 Read our February 10th Newsletter below: Hi there, Colorado ~ During last November's Pollinator Summit, the audience was polled, and only 17% of those present expressed interest in advocacy, but almost 70% were interested in habitat work. You can't have International Women’s Beekeeping Day: Following What We Love, Building What’s Possible International Women’s Beekeeping Day is a chance to celebrate the women who care for bees, steward land, and show up every day for pollinators — often simply by following what they love. Photo from Loveland Reporter-Herald. For many women in beekeeping, the work has never been about breaking barriers for the sake of it. It’s been about curiosity, care, and commitment. As PPAN board member and longtime beekeeper Beth Conrey shared, “I just did what I loved — [it] had nothing Glyphosate Safety Study Retracted Due to Ethics Problems Photo from U.S. Right to Know A new piece from U.S. Right to Know just revealed that a major scientific study used to justify glyphosate’s safety has been retracted over serious ethics issues. It turns out the “independent” authors were actually Monsanto employees, quietly advancing the pesticide industry’s agenda. If you want the full story, you can check out the article here . READ THE ARTICLE! Save Beer! 🍻 Why removing toxic pesticides matters — even for your favorite pint Photo from Green America. Here in Colorado, beer isn’t just a drink -- it’s part of our culture. From local taprooms and festivals to mountain hikes capped off with a cold one, beer brings people together. But behind every brew is an agricultural system that can either help or harm our environment. That’s why PPAN, along with other aligned organizations, is proud to partner with Green America's “Save Beer!” c The Pollinators of the Night: Why Bats Matter & How To Support Them Webinar and Resources From sustaining desert ecosystems to supporting agricultural economies, bats are essential pollinators and pest managers. Yet, their contributions are often overlooked, and many species face growing threats. Join PPAN by checking out the webinar below with Dr. Kristen Lear, Director of Bat Conservation International’s (BCI) Agave Restoration Initiative. Dr. Lear will highlight the ways bats support biodiversity and human well-being, share updates on BCI’s conservation work, a Growing Climate Leaders: Pollinators at the DPS Fall Garden Festival Last week, we had the joy of joining the Denver Public Schools (DPS) Sustainability Team at their Fall Garden Festival—a celebration of... Celebrating a Decade of Pollinator Progress at the 10th Annual Colorado Pollinator Summit: Empowered for Pollinators We are thrilled to announce the 10th Annual Colorado Pollinator Summit , taking place November 13–14, 2025 , at Williams Village, CU... PPAN's Annual Bumblebee Bash Thank you all for a great 2025 Bumble Bee Bash! We surpassed our fundraising goal and had so much fun celebrating with you all! 🥂🐝🥂... Back to School: Kids and Pollinators–Creating a Statewide Movement Webinar & Resources School’s almost back in session, which is a great time to talk about how we can make schoolyards safer and healthier for both kids and... Pollinators Meet Grasshopper & Mormon Cricket Management Webinar & Resources You might be repelled by grasshoppers or Mormon crickets, but can you take a moment to learn about their surprising ecological value... Community Science in Action: Exploring Nature with iNaturalist Webinar Check out PPAN's June 2025 webinar below to discover how community science supports biodiversity and pollinators. PPAN Board Member and... June is Colorado Pollinator Month – Let’s Celebrate! Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and bats keep our ecosystems—and our food systems—thriving. Every June, Colorado takes time to celebrate our pollinators and the many ways we can help protect them. View our main Colorado Pollinator Month page for all of the upcoming events this year: Thanks to years of advocacy and partnership, June has officially been recognized as Colorado Pollinator Month since 2017. People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) worked with Governor Joh Pollinators After Dark: How Light Pollution Impacts the Night Shift Webinar Recording & Resources When we think of pollinators, bees and butterflies usually come to mind—but there's a whole other crew that works the night shift. Moths,... Cultivating Change: How Gardening In Your Place Grows the World Better Webinar Takeaways How is gardening a tool for social and political change? What does it mean to say "gardening is for everyone" in this time and place?... Gardening for Reptiles & Amphibians Webinar Recording Are snakes cute? Cameron Young from My Nature Lab seems to think so! Ecosystems are full of complex, layered interactions - even... Native Plants in Permaculture Webinar Recording & Resources Just as Amy Scanes-Wolfe mentioned in PPAN's Native Plants in Permaculture webinar on February 27th, there is no such thing as "leave no... PPAN's Legislative Breakfast On January 24th, 2025, PPAN had the honor of hosting a Legislative Breakfast for Colorado state legislators, bringing together a room... Propagation in Practice: Expert Panel Perspectives Webinar Resources Watch the recording and access resources shared during this popular webinar on native plant propagation at home. We have work to do, together. As Robin Wall Kimmerer reminds us in The Serviceberry, “The practice for dealing with abundance is to give it away.” Organic Turf Park Transitions As we close out the summer season, PPAN is excited to announce new wins for organic turf transitions at the municipal level. The cities... Help Us Prove That Pesticides Are Overused in Ag — Tell Your Farmer Friends! What’s bad for bugs is bad for birds, as our partner organization, the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), well knows! ABC is launching its... A Full Fall for Pollinator Conservation Greetings PPAN Community, Between this week’s Harvest Moon, the chickadees and goldfinches going crazy over the sunflowers, and the... Ways to Support PPAN! Reading and Roadtripping to Support Pollinators We are thrilled to be launching PPAN’s online bookshop , where 10% of every purchase you... A Celebration of Community & Biodiversity Despite the record heat and drought we’re experiencing, we have so much to celebrate this month (July)! Reflecting on a very successful... Northglenn's Fox Run Natural Area Check out the demonstration garden at Fox Run Natural Area in Northglenn. This demo garden was installed in partnership with the City of... 2024 Habitat Fund Grantees We're excited to announce our 2024 pool of Habitat Fund grantees! This second round of grant-making was a difficult one as we were... Your Favorite New Tee! Now through June 30 th you can purchase this soft, sustainable, Allmade , heavyweight tee—with a trendy unisex fit—sure to become a... Local Control Bill, Dead We heard your voices clearer than ever this year—and we thank you! We thank all of you who contacted your legislators and local leaders,... Invertebrates & Rare Plants Bill Passes! We are thrilled to inform you that House Bill 24-1117 — the bill that adds rare plants and invertebrates to the species that may be... Pollinator-Friendly Businesses! Own a business? This June, consider participating in Colorado Pollinator Month to showcase your company's commitment to sustainability... Protect Our Pollinators Habitat Fund We're excited to announce that our second grant-making cycle is now open! The Protect our Pollinators Habitat Fund —funded by sales of... What's New at PPAN? Wondering what’s new at PPAN in regards to our current policy work , 2024 habitat grants , and the new Insects Study ? Read on! Local... 1 2 3

We can only change the trajectory for pollinators (and our planet!) by making sure that people are aware of their importance and how we can protect them. EDUCATION AND COLLABORATION EDUCATION We can only change the trajectory for pollinators (and our planet!) by making sure that people are aware of their importance and how we can protect them. It can be a complicated issue, but by working together we can find solutions that will help ensure that pollinators have safe and healthy habitat to keep our ecosystems and our agricultural systems working well. People and Pollinators Action Network engages in education through speaking at events, tabling and participation at conferences. PPAN volunteers visit classrooms, neighborhood associations, agricultural organizations, HOA’s, colleges, businesses, local governments and more to talk about ways to work together to protect pollinators. CONTACT US TO PARTNER COLLABORATION We also work collaboratively with other organizations doing similar work to be as effective and efficient as possible. In 2016, PPAN co-sponsored the first Colorado Pollinator Summit with partners from the Butterfly Pavilion , Colorado Beekeepers Association , the Bees Waggle and other groups. That first summit was attended by over 150 people representing over 80 organizations and agencies across the state. In 2017, we co-sponsored the second Summit at the Denver Botanic Gardens hosting Scott Hoffman Black from the Xerces Society as one of our keynote speakers. From these two summits, over a dozen organizations have joined together to create the Colorado Pollinator Network. PPAN is proud to be a partner in the Network which will continue to organize the Colorado Pollinator Summit and take on other collaborative projects. The Colorado Pollinator Summit is a powerful tool for achieving big gains for people and pollinators. Uniting participants around overlapping goals and visions, the Summit harnesses the power of working together and builds capacity for information and resource sharing. COLLABORATE WITH US MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN YOUR YARD! SIGN THE POLLINATOR-SAFE PLEDGE

In response to CO Senate Bill 22-199, the CO Department of Natural Resources has commissioned a study on native pollinating insects. COLORADO NATIVE POLLINATING INSECTS HEALTH STUDY Learn more about Colorado insects on this interactive map. 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 VIEW STUDY PDF Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study Top 5 State Priorities: Protect Imperiled Native Pollinating Insects Protect, Restore, and Connect Pollinator Habitats Mitigate Environmental Changes that Negatively Impact Pollinators and their Habitats Reduce the Risks from Pesticides to Pollinating Insects Monitor and Support Native & Managed Pollinator Health Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study Leads: In 2022, People & Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) championed CO Senate Bill 22-199 at the legislature, in which the CO Department of Natural Resources commissioned a study on our state's native pollinating insects. Colorado Native Pollinating Insects Health Study Outcomes 2026: Practices to Support Pollinators Bill (HB26-1132) prioritizes the use of native plants on state-owned lands. 2025: Invertebrates & Rare Plants included and prioritized in Colorado's new State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025: Creation of Colorado Parks & Wildlife Invertebrate and Rare Plant Program, including 6 new CPW positions 2024: Invertebrates & Rare Plants Bill (HB24-117, championed by PPAN and partners) recognizes invertebrates as wildlife in Colorado and mandates their inclusion of species to be studied and protected STUDY FACT SHEET FULL BILL TEXT VIEW STUDY PDF STUDY WEBPAGE STUDY-DETAILS COLORADO STATE WILDLIFE ACTION PLAN (SWAP) SPOTLIGHT For the first time ever, invertebrates are included in the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) update! This is significant because it acknowledges their vital role in ecosystems (e.g., pollination, nutrient cycling, and serving as food sources for animals) and highlights the species most in need of conservation before they become endangered. The SWAP's science-based framework for research, monitoring, and habitat protection can support these often overlooked and essential species. In fact, the SWAP includes more invertebrates and rare plants than any other taxonomic group! This is due to Colorado House Bill 24-1117, the Invertebrates & Rare Plants Bill (championed by PPAN and partners), which recognized invertebrates as wildlife in Colorado. This officially gave CPW the authority to mandate and study invertebrates. EXPLORE THE SWAP! 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 INSECTS FROM THE MAP INCLUDED IN THE SWAP AS SPECIES OF GREATEST CONSERVATION NEED (SGCN) The Colorado Hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus) became our official state insect in 1996, thanks to a campaign led by Colorado 4th graders! 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 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 Uncompahgre Fritillary (Boloria acrocnema ) is one of Colorado’s rarest butterflies and is federally listed as an Endangered Species. LEARN MORE READ ABOUT ALL OF THESE NATIVE POLLINATING INSECTS Pachydiplax longipennis, Blue Dasher Pachydiplax longipennis—which translates to something like thick-double-long-winged one in Latin— is a prime example of nature's mosquito management crew. The Blue Dasher will spend most of it's life in the nymph (waterborne) stage, during which time it can eat anywhere from dozens to hundreds of mosquito larvae per day (depending on how many are available at the pond buffet). Some dragonfly nymphs have been observed living up to 5 years before maturing to their relatively br Bombus nevadensis, Nevada Bumble Bee The Nevada Bumble Bee, Bombus nevadensis, is the quintessential flying teddy bear bumbling through your garden. Look for Bombus queens emerging from their underground nests in late spring—which could be quite soon with this year’s warm weather! Relatively common, B. nevadensis has been documented from Mexico to Alaska, as far East as Wisconsin, and from the prairie to above 7,000 ft. Early blooming flowers are critical for bumblebee queens’ survival when they emerge after Xenoglossa strenua, Squash Bee Xenoglossa strenua is one species of solitary, ground-nesting bees commonly known as Squash Bees . They are specialist pollinators, relying almost exclusively on one type of plant -in this case, squashes, pumpkins, and gourds. The adults are attracted to the distinctive scent of the flowers and can be found foraging around dawn. Their activity tapers off by mid-morning, though sleepy males may be found resting inside the flowers throughout the day. Females prefer to dig indiv Vella fallax, Antlion Vella fallax belongs to a group of insects called Antlions . The relatively large size of the adults might seem intimidating; however, they are completely harmless to humans, feeding primarily on nectar and pollen. It is the larvae that have helped them earn their predatory name! They construct pit traps in loose soil and lie in wait just beneath the surface. When ants or other insects fall in, the larva grabs its prey with massive, curved jaws and drags it underground to Megachile parallela, Parallel Leaf Cutter Bee The Parallel Leaf Cutter Bee ( Megachile parallela ) is a solitary species with remarkable architectural skills and a strong preference for sunflowers, particularly Nuttall's sunflower found throughout Colorado's plains and foothills. Females use their powerful mandibles to cut precise semicircular pieces from leaves, which they carry back to their nests tucked under their bodies. These leaf fragments are used to construct waterproof brood cells within existing cavities like Libellula pulchella, Twelve Spotted Skimmer 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. Males are territorial, perching on prominent sedge stems while scanning for prey and rivals with their enormous compound eyes that can detect movement across nearly 360 degrees. Their spotted wings create distinctive flight patterns as they hunt mosquitoes, midges, and other flyi Hemaris diffinis, Snowberry Clearwing Moth With their dramatic transparent wings, fuzzy striped bodies, and hovering flight pattern, Snowberry Clearwing Moths ( Hemaris diffinis ) are often mistaken for small hummingbirds or large bumblebees by both predators and human observers alike. Their well-camouflaged caterpillars are called hornworms due to the prominent spike on their rear end. They feed on snowberry shrubs and other members of the honeysuckle family, helping to regulate plant populations and maintain ecolog Bombus huntii, Hunt's Bumble Bee 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. Their ability to thrive in cooler temperatures and “buzz pollinate” makes them important generalist pollinators in both natural and agricultural ecosystems across our state! Like other bumble bees, they nest underground in small colonies, and only fertilized young queens survive the winter. These queens emerge in spring to loc Boloria acrocnema, Uncompahgre Fritillary Butterfly The Uncompahgre Fritillary ( Boloria acrocnema ) is one of Colorado’s rarest butterflies. Federally listed as an Endangered Species, it is found in only a few isolated populations above 12,000 feet in the San Juan Mountains. Adapted to harsh alpine conditions, adults are active for just a few weeks in June and July following the seasonal snowmelt. Adults are generalist pollinators of high-elevation wildflowers, while their life cycle is closely tied to the snow willow, a low Apis mellifera, Honey Bee 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. These social insects live in highly organized colonies with complex communication systems, including the famous "waggle dance" that conveys distance and direction to food sources. Alfalfa's purple flowers provide excellent nectar flow, though the crop's "tripping" mechanism can someti Toxomerus marginatus, Margined Calligrapher Syrphid Fly Margined Calligrapher Syrphid Flies (Toxomerus marginatus) are widely distributed across North America, from Canada to Mexico. Their bright yellow and black markings closely resemble the warning coloration of stinging insects like wasps and honeybees, however, unlike the insects they mimic, these flies are harmless to humans and do not sting. As adults, they feed on nectar and pollen, and are essential for pollinating a wide diversity of plants. Additionally, their larvae Tegeticula yuccasella, Yucca Moth Tegeticula yuccasella, a species of Yucca Moth , shares an important mutualistic relationship with Soapweed Yucca (Yucca glauca), common across Colorado’s arid prairies and foothills. In spring, the adult moths emerge from their cocoons in sync with yucca flowers. Female moths collect pollen, mate, and deposit eggs across various individual yucca plants, facilitating vital cross-pollination and seed production. Emerging larvae consume only some of the yucca seeds in a way th Osmia lignaria, Blue Orchard Bee The Blue Orchard Bee (Osmia lignaria) stands out with its eye-catching metallic blue-black color! Like most of Colorado’s 1,000+ native bee species, these solitary bees build individual nests, rather than live in colonies, and often select natural cavities found in wood or hollow stems. To ensure direct and efficient pollen transfer between flowers, they carry collected pollen on the undersides of their bodies. This trait, along with their tendency to revisit the same type Hypaurotis crysalus, Colorado Hairstreak Butterfly The Colorado Hairstreak butterfly (Hypaurotis crysalus) became our official state insect in 1996, thanks to a campaign led by Colorado 4th graders! These beauties are dependent on Gambel Oak for their lifecycle—a native shrub found in the lower montane regions of western and southern Colorado, as well as along the Front Range. Though their wings are iridescent purple, this butterfly is well camouflaged against the bark and leaves of the oak, due to the small black and oran Hetaerina americana, American Rubyspot Damselfly American Rubyspot damselflies (Hetaerina americana) add a splash of color to stream and river habitats across North America. Males have vibrant red spots at the base of their wings, and contrasting bright green abdomens, while females are generally metallic green and gold. Damselflies are sensitive to pollution and their presence or absence can be an important indicator of the health of our critical freshwater ecosystems. Males aggressively defend territories at the edge of Dufourea maura, Black Short-faced Bee Dufourea maura (Black Short-faced Bees) are specialists on one of Colorado’s most eye-catching wildflowers -the Harebell ( Campanula sp .)! These conspicuous violet bell-shaped flowers impress humans and pollinators alike in alpine and subalpine meadows across the state. The adult bees are active in summer and early fall when these plants are blooming, and their range is completely dependent on the range of their host plant. The fate of specialist pollinators is closely ti Cicindela theatina, Great Sand Dunes Tiger Beetle 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. This unique habitat supports over 1000 species of arthropods (insects, spiders, centipedes, millipedes), including several other species of insects that are found nowhere else in the world! Adult Tiger Beetles actively hunt other insects using their long legs and powerful jaws; while the buried lar Bombus occidentalis, Western Bumblebee Bombus occidentalis, the Western Bumblebee , inhabits a wide array of environments in western North America—from lowland agricultural areas to high alpine meadows. They are generalist pollinators that contribute significantly to the health and productivity of both Colorado’s native ecosystems and agricultural landscapes. Bumblebees are able to fly in cooler temperatures and lower light levels than many other bees, and their robust, hairy bodies help them efficiently move larg Anthophora pueblo, Pueblo Digger Bee 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. These industrious, solitary bees use their mandibles to chew away at the sandstone—creating a network of tunnels and nesting chambers for egg-laying and larval development. Nesting sites have been found in Utah, California, Nevada, and Colorado, including Mesa Verde National Park. Sandstone is more durabl Agapostemon coloradinus, Colorado Striped Sweat Bee Agapostemon coloradinus (the Colorado Striped Sweat Bee ) is a colorful creature named after a colorful state! Males have dazzling metallic green upper bodies, and abdomens with distinctive yellow and black stripes. Females lack stripes, but do have bands of short white hairs on their undersides, which help them carry pollen to their underground nests. These non-stinging solitary bees have been found in a variety of habitats, and while their range may stretch across the Sout

Many pro-pollinator businesses support PPAN because their bottom line depends on the healthy environment and biodiversity that PPAN fights for every day. Pro-Pollinator Business Partners PPAN is proud to be a vetted Environmental Partner of the 1% for the Planet network! Both financial and in-kind donations to PPAN qualify for 1% for the Planet and B Corp Certification philanthropic goals. Many pro-pollinator businesses support PPAN because their bottom line depends on the healthy environment and biodiversity that PPAN fights for every day. A donation to PPAN is also a sound investment in your brand's mission, values, and visibility. Featured business partners receive profiles in our newsletter, which reaches more than 11,000 Coloradans, as well as on our website and social media accounts. Contact Emily KenCairn, Director of Development & Communications to discuss partnership opportunities . And please patronize these businesses to support pollinators! Thank You To PPAN's Current Business Partners! Bee Squared Apiaries Bees & Trees Justin's Nut Butters Clif Family Foundation Lyons Farmette Osborne Organics Koelle Tiny Farms Colorado Insurors Services, Inc. Black Hills Energy Continuum Consulting Services Connelly Landscapes & Design Elemental Psychedelics Laws Whiskey House Wild Heritage Gardens Wild Birds Unlimited The Apiarian Home The Apiarian Home Thank You To Our Current In-Kind Donors! Alpine Bee Candles Altamira Foods Aspen One Backyard Roots Farm BBB Seed Bee Squared Apiaries Bees & Trees Beleza Coffee Bar Boulder Sports Recycler Bow to the Bee Buddha & the Bees Butterfly Pavilion Capella Ranch Colorado Native Bee Connelly Landscapes & Design Cortada Tequila Cultivating Place Foundation Cultivating Place logo. Denver Museum of Nature and Science Earth Love Gardens Earth Love Gardens logo. Ecocycle Edaphic Solutions Fig Tree Pediatrics Finding Nectar Nursery Finding Nectar Nursery logo. Giambrocco & Sons Garden Center Harlequin's Gardens Honeywood Garden Design (1) Honeywood Garden Design logo IBG Wines Ironwood Bar & Grille Lake Valley Seed Meadow Lake Honey Mountain Rose Herbs Moxie Bread Co. My Nature Lab Ollin Farms Patagonia Boulder Picklewix Website Design Picky Pig Compost Primo Speciality Foods REI Co•op Loveland Rising Tide Tattoo Shamane's Bakery + Cafe Simply Bee Conservation Soil Transformations Spring 44 Distilling Spirit Hound Distillers Summerhome Garden Tangerine Unity Butter Urban Blum West Wolf Medicianls Show More We love to partner with pollinator-friendly businesses! Send us a message to inquire about featured or in-kind business partnerships with PPAN. Also check out this directory of pollinator-safe nurseries, seed companies, and landscaping service providers. View Directory First Name Last Name Email Message Send Thank you for your message!

Become a PPAN Sponsor Are you a business interested in partnering with PPAN on one of our projects, events, or ongoing efforts? Learn more about our sponsorship offerings below or download our sponsor packet using the icon to the right! View Our Current Partners 1 2 8 1 1/8

There are many factors contributing to our concern for pollinators as well as for people. Join us to help preserve biodiversity! Everyone can make a difference. BILL PROVISIONS PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN By limiting pesticide use on school grounds, we can reduce children’s exposure to harmful chemical pesticides that have deleterious effects on their healthy growth and development. Aside from outdoor emergency applications (the spraying of a hornets' nest, for example), this bill stipulates that parents’ be provided with advance notice of any pesticide application on their child's school grounds. Outside of these approved and announced applications, no pesticide use on the outdoor grounds of schools would be permitted. Children PRESERVING POLLINATOR BIODIVERSITY To thoughtfully and effectively protect pollinators and, in turn, the vital services that they provide for our human health, this bill allows for a study to address threats to pollinator populations, habitat, and biodiversity. By restricting harmful neonicotinoid pesticides , we can reduce harm to delicate pollinator species and habitats. Neonicotinoid pesticides - or "neonics" as they are colloquially referred to – are systemic chemical insecticides that grow into all parts of a plant. Studies have shown that neonics are very nonspecific, meaning that in addition to harming pests, they also are harmful to beneficial pollinator species, the plants they require for their habitats, the soil through which these plants thrive and water quality. Neonics can contribute to dramatic decreases in biodiversity, and that's why this bill seeks to regulate them as a "Restricted Use Pesticide" (RUP) and limit their use on landscapes. Additionally, by proposing a grant program to provide an opportunity for agricultural producers to trial non-neonic-coated seeds voluntarily , there could be a financial incentive for our farmers while reducing their risk. Often, agricultural producers plant neonic-coated seeds prophylactically to prevent pest interference from the start of the growing cycle. However, studies have shown that in many cases, coated seeds have no positive effect on yields. Biodiversity ALLOWING COMMUNITIES TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS Currently, local governments cannot restrict pesticide use due to a state-level preemption. Because the state government preempts pesticide use regulations, local communities cannot adapt their laws to fit their own unique situations. By removing state preemption regarding pesticide use , this bill would return control back into the hands of local communities that have the expertise to determine how best to protect natural resources and sensitive populations. Preemption Return to bill overview

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School Gardens I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. Seasonal Produce I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you. Our Barn I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you. Organic Compost I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It’s easy. Just click “Edit Text” or double click me to add your own content and make changes to the font. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.

The People and Pollinators Action Network is working on a bill concerning meatures to improve pollinator habitats for the protection of the environment. PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF POLLINATORS & PEOPLE Pollinator & Human Health Bill Update Earlier this month, for the first time ever, Colorado's legislators deliberated on a Pollinator & Human Health bill (SB22-131) , which sought solutions to protect children’s health, preserve pollinator biodiversity, and allow communities to make decisions about pesticide use. After 9 hours of testimony, from both sides, the bill failed to pass its first committee hearing and was permanently suspended. Industry proved to be a formidable opponent and bill supporters' testimony kept up the fight until nearly the end of the hearing. While the bill did not pass, this is not a defeat! The seed has been planted and PPAN's work will continue to enable it to sprout and grow! Thank you for showing up and for the outpouring of support that we received in both endorsements and in written and oral testimony. About 40 supporters signed up to testify orally and many others submitted written testimony! It's vitally important that this strong support is now officially on the record. We'll continue to seek opportunities to move bill concepts forward and organize for the next success, and we hope we can count on you for your ongoing support and on-the-ground advocacy. This fight is not over and we'll build on the momentum we created to rally once again! Learn more about the bill below: SB22-131: A BILL CONCERNING MEASURES TO IMPROVE POLLINATOR HABITATS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE ENVIRONMENT While Colorado is home to more than 900 species of bees, 250 species of butterflies and hundreds of birds and small animals which provide critical pollinator services, Colorado does not have a comprehensive plan to ensure we protect these species. Colorado lacks resources to work across our agencies to ensure adequate planning, protection, and coordination for pollinators and there’s insufficient capacity to protect human health as we consider pesticide use. This proposed piece of legislation will make strides to address pesticide risks and protection of people, pollinators and soils. BILL HIGHLIGHTS BENEFITS TO MUNICIPALITIES FACT SHEET ENDORSE THIS BILL BILL GOALS SOLUTIONS PROTECTING THE HEALTH OF OUR CHILDREN Learn more PRESERVING POLLINATOR BIODIVERSITY Learn more ALLOWING COMMUNITIES TO MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS Learn more

The People and Pollinators Action Network’s staff and members work closely to forge strategic wins for people, pollinators, and the state of Colorado. OUR APPROACH HOW WE WORK FOR POLLINATORS Outreach & Education PPAN mobilizes communities in Colorado to take positive action for pollinators. We offer webinars, workshops, events, and presentations that engage with current pollinator issues and the steps we can take to protect both pollinator populations and human health. Our outreach efforts aim to address negative stereotypes and connotations surrounding insects and other pollinator species, to drive home the significance of pollinators to both our ecosystems and daily lives, and to inspire collective action for pollinator conservation. We have recruited over 2,300 individuals and businesses to take our pollinator pledge to use pollinator-safe practices on their properties, and continue to grow our passionate constituent and volunteer base. Public Policy PPAN works with both local and state governmental agencies and elected officials to encourage pollinator friendly policies in land and facility management. We have been instrumental in passing municipal, county, and state resolutions to: (1) encourage the conservation of and transition to healthy pollinator habitat, (2) reduce the use of pesticides, and (3) engage the public to develop a better understanding of the importance of pollinators. Collaboration PPAN works collaboratively with a number of like-minded organizations doing similar work in Colorado to be as effective and efficient as possible. Some of our current partners include the Sierra Club state chapter, Colorado State Beekeepers Association, Audubon Rockies, Denver Audubon, CO Native Plant Society, CO Wildlife Federation, Front Range Wild Ones, and Clean Label Project, to name a few. See our "Coalitions" page for more information about our roles in a number of local and statewide groups promoting pollinator conservation and the safeguarding of public health. In addition, we work with a number of cities to provide volunteer support for organically-managed public parks and the maintenance of native plant beds. Activities Beyond events, partnerships, and educational opportunities, PPAN is also growing a number of exciting projects, ranging from native habitat work to upcoming media campaigns. Stay tuned for more info and ways to get involved! VIEW OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS GET INVOLVED

Mission & Non-Discrimination Statement Mission People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) works at the intersection of public health and biodiversity, educating and advocating at the grassroots, municipal, and state levels in Colorado for policies and practices that protect pollinators as well as public health by restoring, protecting, or creating climate-resilient native plant habitats and eliminating the use of unnecessary pesticides in urban, working, and wildland areas. We envision a world with healthy, regenerated ecosystems where people and pollinators can thrive for generations to come. Receive Newsletter & Action Alerts Get Involved Non-Discrimination Policy: People and Pollinators Action Network (PPAN) is committed to fostering, cultivating, and preserving a culture of diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and environmental justice. PPAN does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), sex, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or socioeconomic status in any of its activities, operations, employment, volunteer opportunities, delivery of program services, or distribution of resources and materials. We also practice wage transparency and do not discriminate based on pregnancy, childbirth, parenthood, or related conditions. We firmly believe that all people deserve to live in an environmentally healthy world, free from poisons in their food, neighborhoods, and work lives. We recognize that environmental hazards and their health impacts disproportionately affect communities of color, low-income communities, indigenous peoples, and other historically marginalized populations. These disparities extend to occupational exposure, with agricultural workers, groundskeepers, and pesticide applicators facing heightened risks. PPAN is committed to providing an inclusive and accessible experience to everyone, including individuals with disabilities. We ensure that people with disabilities have full and equal opportunity to access and benefit from our services and information, including through our website peopleandpollinators.org and all program activities. Our commitments include: Ensuring equal opportunity and access to our programs, services, resources, and employment; Providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities; Creating accessible digital content and communications; Actively working to eliminate barriers to participation in environmental advocacy and education; Promoting inclusive decision-making that amplifies diverse voices and perspectives; Building partnerships with organizations serving underrepresented communities; Creating multilingual materials and culturally responsive programming; Maintaining a workplace and volunteer environment free from discrimination and harassment; Regular review and evaluation of our practices to ensure they advance equity and accessibility. We continue to work on protecting those who have no choice but to risk exposure to pesticides, either because of chemical plants in their neighborhoods, pesticide drift, or occupational exposure. We work to remember, always, the importance of biodiversity to healthy ecosystems while remaining aware that pesticides reduce biodiversity. We work to remain aware, always, that a profound lack of equity exists in human access to healthy ecosystems. We commit anew to improving access to healthy ecosystems for people of all backgrounds and income levels. This policy applies to all employees, volunteers, members, clients, contractors, and partners of People and Pollinators Action Network. Any person who believes they have experienced or witnessed discrimination or faced accessibility barriers should report their concerns to PPAN leadership. Reports will be promptly investigated and appropriate corrective action will be taken if warranted. PPAN regularly reviews and updates this policy to ensure it reflects current best practices in advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and environmental justice. We welcome feedback from our community on how we can better serve all people and pollinators. Contact information for questions or to submit complaints: info@peopleandpollinators.org. PPAN's team members work remotely but our organization adhere's to Colorado's Anti-Discrimination Notices .