Join the People and Pollinators Action Network to help with pollinator protection, community development, environmental policy, sustainable agriculture, and habitat management. No Tricks, Just Treats: Why Spiders Belong in Your Garden Webinar Join PPAN and the Butterfly Pavilion to explore the role spiders play in our gardens and their connections to pollinators and the wider ecosystem. VIEW RECORDING VIEW OUR RECENT SUCCESSES » 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 RECENT POLLINATOR NEWS: No Tricks, Just Treats: Why Spiders Belong in Your Garden Webinar Recording and Resources Spiders get top billing every Halloween as creepy decorations, but there's much more to them than cobwebs and scares. View the recording and resources below to explore the role spiders play in our gardens and their connections to pollinators and the wider ecosystem. You'll come away with simple ways to support spiders in your everyday life, and you might just start seeing these eight-legged neighbors in a whole new light! Learn more on Daniel's YouTube Channel, Arachnorion! T Healthy Schoolyards Initiative Please join PPAN as we launch our Healthy Schoolyards Initiative! Check out our Healthy Schoolyards Initiative Webinar to learn about the glaring hole in Colorado's pesticide safety regulations, why it matters, and what you can do about it. Plus, browse the resources below and get involved! Healthy Schoolyards Initiative Resources Healthy Schoolyards Initiative Webpage Advocacy Action Checklist Regulatory Landscape of Pesticides Join the Coalition! Thank You to Our Speakers! Colorado Takes Executive Action to Protect Pollinators! Signing of the Executive Order Directing Directing the Protection of Colorado's Pollinators. After nearly 8 years of advocacy and partnership working with the Governor's Office towards this Order, we are thrilled to announce that today, September 16, 2026, Governor Polis signed a new Executive Order, directing Colorado state agencies to take coordinated action to protect and support Colorado's pollinators. PPAN's Executive Director Joyce Kennedy, co-founder Rella Abernathy, a 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. POLLINATOR GARDENS GALLERY Share your pollinator gardens with us! Take pictures of your gardens and send them to us and we may add them here to share with the world!

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

PPAN supports the creation of schoolyards that are safe, ecologically resilient, and community-driven. HEALTHY SCHOOLYARDS INITIATIVE THE STATE OF SCHOOLYARDS The movement for green space From across the nation, people flock to Colorado to experience our state’s vast natural areas. From the peaks of the Maroon Bells to the sands of the San Luis Valley, there is no shortage of wilderness and nature to explore. It’s no secret that Colorado is famous for our outdoor recreation. Even within our urban areas, Colorado has become renowned on a national level for our green spaces. According to the Trust for Public Land’s ParkServe tool, more than 70% of the population in all 5 of Colorado’s largest metropolitan areas (Denver, Colorado Springs, Aurora, Lakewood, and Fort Collins) live within a ten minute walk of a park (1). In 2025, Denver ranked 10th in the nation when accounting for green space acreage, access, investment, amenities, and equity (2). The resulting health benefits from having access to green space and spending time in nature are widely studied, especially when it comes to children and their health, safety, and development (3). In fact since its beginnings in the late aughts, the movement to convert traditional asphalt schoolyards into green spaces that prioritize outdoor learning and creative nature play has gained traction in states across the country (4). However, there is often a key piece missing from the green schoolyards conversation- the use of dangerous synthetic pesticides. This issue is especially pervasive here in Colorado, despite our reputation as a leader in the green space and outdoor recreation movement. Pesticides and the danger to children’s health Children are especially vulnerable to pesticide and other toxic exposures due to their smaller size, developing bodies, and time spent playing outdoors (5). On school grounds, this risk is increased by landscaping choices - much of the greenery on Colorado schoolyards is non-native and ornamental, requiring chemical treatments to maintain. Instead of supporting children’s health and well-being, these spaces put the very population most sensitive to toxics at unnecessary risk. This risk persists because of significant gaps in the legal protections meant to prevent it. At the federal level, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) establishes a baseline pesticide registration process through the EPA, but that process is widely recognized as flawed, industry-friendly, and not protective, and it leaves enforcement to states (6). Colorado’s own laws, the Pesticide Act and the Pesticide Applicators’ Act, do even less - the only provision addressing pesticide use on school grounds requires posting a notification sign, with rules that govern little more than the sign’s size and placement at one entry point (7). PPAN’s Healthy Schoolyards Initiative Through the new Healthy Schoolyards Initiative, PPAN is mobilizing educators, administrators, parents, and state and community leaders to: Advance pesticide-free land management as a practical, low-cost solution that protects children’s health without straining school budgets Advance stronger state and local protections against pesticide exposure for children Build a coalition of stakeholders in childhood education to expand safe, natural outdoor learning across Colorado Where opportunities allow, PPAN also supports the longer-term greening of gray, asphalt schoolyards into nature-play spaces to ease the effects of intensifying heat and to create healthier places for children to learn and play. PPAN cares deeply about this issue. In 2022, we led Colorado’s first omnibus pesticide-safety bill , which included school grounds pesticide restrictions and notification requirements; it failed in committee amid strong opposition from the agrochemical industry. We have also made multiple attempts, through SB20-189 , SB22-131 , HB24-1178 , and the Pesticide Applicators’ Act sunset review , to remove the state’s preemption of local pesticide regulation so communities can set their own protections; each was defeated due to industry lobbying. Our ongoing work includes an organic turf management program , a pollinator habitat grants program , pesticide reduction coalitions , and support for HB25-1061 , a new state law establishing a schoolyard grant program. Every child deserves a schoolyard where they can explore nature safely, free from unnecessary pesticide exposure. Join PPAN in making that a reality across Colorado. Pesticides & health The legislative landscape of pesticides Healthy Schoolyards webinar Join the coalition Advocacy action checklist Resource library, technical assistance, & funding - coming soon 1. The Trust for Public Land. (2025b). ParkScore Index [Map]. The Trust for Public Land. https://parkserve.tpl.org/mapping/ 2. The Trust for Public Land. (2025a). Denver, CO ParkScore ranking. 2025 ParkScore City Rankings; The Trust for Public Land. https://www.tpl.org/city/denver-colorado 3. Stark, B. (2025, July 14). Nature play: Benefits for children and families. University of Minnesota. Umn.Edu. https://ceed.umn.edu/nature-play-benefits-children-and-families 4. Orellana, A. (2026, February 18). National Coalition launches refreshed green schoolyards action agenda. Trust for Public Land. Trust for Public Land. https://www.tpl.org/media-room/national-coalition-launches-refreshed-green-schoolyards-action-agenda 5. United States Environmental Protection Agency. (2014, February 12). Children’s unique vulnerabilities to environmental hazards | US EPA. US EPA. US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/children/childrens-unique-vulnerabilities-environmental-hazards 6. Dr. Jennifer Sass Senior Scientist, Environmental Health & Nature, & Wu Alum, M. (2013, March 26). Superficial safeguards: Most pesticides are approved by flawed EPA process. Natural Resource Defense Council. NRDC.Org. https://www.nrdc.org/resources/superficial-safeguards-most-pesticides-are-approved-flawed-epa-process-issuebrief 7. Colorado Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry. (2015). Title 35 Article 10 Pesticide Applicator’s Act [PDF]. Colorado Department of Agriculture Division of Plant Industry. https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/cepep/docs/12-16-2015%20PRINT%20COPY%20CRS%20Title%2035%20Article%2010%20(2015).pdf

Register for a Protect Pollinators Colorado Pollinator License Plate! Your contribution funds People & Pollinators Action Network's Habitat Grants program, creating new pollinator habitat throughout Colorado. Pollinator License Plate Registration Make a difference for pollinators everywhere you go. To obtain the Protect Our Pollinators license plate please complete the registration form below including a one-time sliding scale donation of $25 to $50, although larger donations are welcomed! Your donation directly supports pollinator health, increases native pollinator habitat, and funds educational programs that help to restore biodiversity. Explore our statewide Habitat Fund to see projects made possible by this license plate. Here are the 3 Steps to Obtaining Pollinator Plates: Complete the online registration & donation form below I nformation entered on the form MUST match your vehicle registration, or your assigned PIN number will not work. If you have two owners registered for the same vehicle, please include BOTH names. Complete your one-time donation, which is tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law as PPAN is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. Note that online donations are preferred, but if you would like to send a check you can mail it to PPAN, PO Box 355, Niwot, CO 80544-0355. We will then mail you back a PIN# certificate that you can take to the Department of Motor Vehicle Office to obtain your plates. Receive Your PIN number from PPAN We process PIN#s every Friday, but please allow up to two weeks to receive your PIN. It will be sent to the email address you provide on the registration form (or mailed, if your donation came via check). Use your PIN number to Order Plates from the Department of Motor Vehicles—online or in person. Most people order them online using these step by step directions for how to navigate the DMV's website, but you can also bring your PIN number into your local DMV. The DMV will mail your new plates to your house and give you temporary plates, if needed. Pollinator Plate FAQs How do I get these plates? Make a minimum $25 donation to People & Pollinators Action Network using the form on this page . Each donation is good for one set of plates, so if you have more than one vehicle you need to fill out the form/make donation more than once. How much do Pollinator Plates cost? The one-time donation to PPAN is a sliding scale of $25 on up. After you get your PIN# from us, the DMV will assess two additional $25 fees for specialty plates ($75 total). You only have to pay the specialty fees and donation once; not with annual renewals. I made my donation, where is my PIN#? We process registrations and send out PIN#s every Friday, but please allow up to 2 weeks to receive your PIN# in case of holidays. If you don't see it, please check your junk mail folder and then email info@peopleandpollinators.org if you need to follow up. I have my PIN#, now what? Once you receive your PIN # from, here are step by step directions for how to navigate the mydmv.com website to order your Pollinator Plates. My vehicle registration does not expire for a number of months, do I have to wait to get my Pollinator license plates? No, protecting pollinators can't wait! Order plates anytime and the DMV will issue a credit for any unused months left on your registration. Will I be required to make a donation every year when I register my car? No. The donation for this plate is a one-time commitment, however we hope that you will see the impact in our work and be inspired to renew your gift! What if I want a personalized vanity plate? You are able to personalize the characters on your license plate, however, the bee design in the middle of the plate will not appear. Visit https://dmv.colorado.gov/group-special-license-plates for more details. Can I get Pollinator plates for my motorcycle? Yes! The steps and the cost are the same. Can I make my Pollinator License plate donation at the Motor Vehicle Office? No. All Pollinator license plates donations must be made here on this page: peopleandpollinators.org/co-pollinator-license-plate What percentage of my license plate donation will go to People & Pollinators Action Network? 100% of license plate donations will go to advancing the mission of People & Pollinators Action Network, with the majority of your gift being turned into new pollinator habitat through our statewide Habitat Fund . I changed my mind, can I get a refund? License plate donations are non-refundable, but if a donation must be returned in special circumstances PPAN will retain $10 to cover processing fees. More questions? Email us at info@peopleandpollinators.org.

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

Register for a Colorado Pollinator License Plate! By donating, you will be connected to actions and solutions that are making a difference for Colorado’s pollinators! Pollinator License Plate Registration Instructions Help PPAN make a difference for pollinators today. Thanks for supporting Colorado pollinators by making a one-time donation! Once you have filled out this form , and you get the email with your PIN number from People and Pollinators Action Network, below are the instructions on how to purchase your Pollinator Plates through the mydmv.colorado.gov website.

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 .

Colorado can lead the way in regaining local control of pesticide applications in our communities. Restoring local control enables Colorado communities to determine their way forward based on independent science. NOW IS THE TIME: WE CAN PROTECT OURSELVES BY RESTORING LOCAL CONTROL OF PESTICIDES The #1 Most Effective Action You Can Take is to Call Your Legislators Today. Look Up Your Legislator The most effective action you can take is to call your legislator TODAY—both your senator and your representative! They are currently considering Bill HB24-1178 , which would restore limited local control of pesticides and empower local governments with the ability to better protect our children, pollinators, birds, and the environment. Please call TODAY, and find 5 friends to call as well! A phone call takes only a few minutes and is more effective than an email. Contact your legislators to voice your support of HB24-1178 and urge them to bring the bill to the House Floor for a vote! Call and/or email your state legislators to ask for their support of HB24-1178. [personalize with your own words whenever possible]: “Hello, my name is [Your Name], and I'm your constituent calling from [Your Location—district, city, and/or county]. 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 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.” Colorado state law blocks every community from enacting rules to safeguard themselves from harmful pesticide practices. Scientists are warning policymakers that urgent action is needed since the current pesticide regulatory system is broken . The federal pesticide regulatory process is broken. Inaction is harming our children. Inaction is driving biodiversity loss. Inaction will harm our economy. The assumption that EPA-registered pesticides are safe, and that pesticide regulation is based on current science is not only misguided but is leading to inaction. Scientists urge a major overhaul of pesticide regulation due to “aging Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) regulations [at the EPA]." — American Association for the Advancement of Science “Our system for evaluating scientific evidence and making decisions about environmental chemicals is broken. We cannot continue to gamble with our children’s health. We call for action now to prevent exposures to chemicals and pollutants [among] America’s children.” — Environmental Health Perspectives “There is agreement in the scientific community that pesticides are a central responsible factor for the observed terrestrial biodiversity declines.” — Frontiers in Environmental Science Journal According to the World Bank, "Under the current trends in environmental degradation, the risk of ecosystem collapse is ever present and growing, representing systemic risks for economies.” — The World Bank Group's Economic Case for Nature Take Action for Local Control of Pesticide Use! Pesticides & Environmental Justice Pesticides & Climate Change Bill HB24-1178 FactSheet Preemption Primer Myths & Facts On Local Control Addressing Misconceptions More on PPAN's legislative work with the Colorado Environmental Health Coalition (CEHC) . Along with 60 partner organizations, we are working to build capacity and support for a coordinated toxics reduction strategy to protect people across Colorado from chemical toxins that are ubiquitous in our air, water, communities, and consumer products. “Over the next decade, we have a stark choice: to demonstrate the very best of our natures as Homo sapiens – cooperative, innovative, wise, and ethical, to learn from mistakes and create better societies – or to go down with both a bang of conflict and a whimper of bickering, entitlement and self-interest. That choice is ours. The actions or inactions of individual leaders in government, communities and businesses in this decade will be remembered darkly, or hopefully kindly. Everything we know and love is at stake.” — World Scientists' Warning to Policymakers Make Your Voice Heard #1 Call Your Legislators Legislator Lookup #2 Support this Bill Sign On #3 Share Everywhere Share Campaign reclaimlocalcontrol.org peopleandpollinators.org

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 XERCES.org 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! If you want to take the pledge to be pollinator safe and have your company appear on this list, email joyce@peopleandpollinators.org Garden Design, Landscaping & Lawn Care Tree Care Pollinator Safe Farms & Food Companies Longmont Nurseries Boulder Nurseries Arvada Nurseries

Resources Welcome to the PPAN resource center! Here, you will find helpful documents, graphics, and links to guide your journey of supporting people, pollinators and planet. *Photo by Ryan Bartlett Form Letter to Legislators Native Plant Lists Pollinator-Friendly Nurseries Beyond Pesticides Non-Toxic Communities More on Pesticides Pesticide Action Network Xerces Society Grow Smart Grow Safe Home & Garden Information Center Toxic Free Future

Resources for maintaining a healthy, non-toxic, chemical-free lawn that's good for people, pets, and pollinators! ORGANIC TURF MANAGEMENT Visit An Organically Managed Park Near You! Organic Turf Management prioritizes the transition away from synthetic chemicals toward organic methods, with the goal of improving environmental health, reducing chemical exposure, and enhancing community well-being . With our partners, we're making Colorado healthier and safer -- one park at a time! Scroll for more resources and ways to get involved. Check out our partner resources: Boulder Parks & BVSD The City of Boulder is leading the way in safe, sustainable land care—maintaining all 60+ of its public parks without synthetic pesticides. This citywide commitment protects the people who use these spaces every day and supports healthier soil, water, and wildlife. Wonderland Lake Park We’re also excited to be working with Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) to extend this approach to local schoolyards. Because children are especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of pe Longmont Parks Longmont is one of the first parks that PPAN helped transition. They have one fully transitioned organic turf park: Roosevelt Park. Roosevelt Park Photo from the City of Longmont. Roosevelt Park is a beloved Longmont gathering space that’s now maintained with organic practices. By phasing out synthetic pesticides and fertilizers and focusing on soil health, the park offers a safer, more resilient landscape for the community to enjoy. 📍 700 Longs Peak Ave, Longmont, CO 80501 Colorado Springs Parks We are in the initial phases of communicating with Colorado Springs to start transitioning a few of their parks to organically managed turf. Be sure to keep an eye out for more information! Do you live in Colorado Springs and want to see organically maintained parks? Let us know and get involved! America the Beautiful Park - photo from Uncover Colorado. Golden Parks The City of Golden is transitioning a few organically maintained parks for you to explore, including: New Loveland Mine Park , Southridge Park , and DeLong Park . New Loveland Mine Park With a well-loved playground and a busy sports field, this park shows how families and athletes can enjoy safe, vibrant recreation while supporting a more resilient local ecosystem. It’s a model for communities looking to protect people, pollinators, and the places we all share. 📍 1309 5th S Lakewood Parks Do you live in Lakewood? Visit the Link Recreation Center Baseball Field , Mountair Dog Park , and Belmar Traditional Park to see organic turf transitions in action. The Link Recreation Center Baseball Field Photo from Natural Grocers. The Link Recreation Center Baseball Field is managed organically, giving the community and youth programs a safe, chemical-free place to play; all while supporting healthy soil, pollinators, and local ecosystems. 📍 1295 S. Reed St., Lakewood Photo credit: Osborne Organics I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. It's easy. A Step-by-Step Guide to Organic Turf Management PPAN is proud to partner with the City of Boulder's Climate Initiatives Team and Osborne Organics to share this step-by-step guide for homeowners or lawn care professionals on how to make your lawn safe and healthy for people, pets, pollinators, and the planet. Download Guide in English Descarga la Guía en Español Support for School Districts & Parks Departments PPAN partners with Colorado municipalities and school districts to support your team in transitioning to organic turf management. Stay tuned for case studies from pilot projects in Longmont, Golden, Lakewood, Colorado Springs and more in 2025. Reach Out For More Info DeLong Park: Example Pilot Park in Golden Photo credit: City of Boulder Transition Your Lawn to Colorado Native Grasses In an ideal world, the turf we don't replace with flowering pollinator-friendly plants would be replaced with Colorado native grasses! The Native Grass Working Group has created a phenomenal resource for guiding you through the decision making and implementation process of a native grass transition for your lawn. Explore the CO Native Grass Guide More Play, Less Spray Campaign Check out these Rocky Mountain Bio Ag podcast episodes with Osborne Organic's Chip Osborne. Limit Turf in New Residential Development Bill PPAN supported HB25-113 to limit nonfunctional turf in new residential developments (new apartment and condominium developments). This bill is the latest in a series of legislative efforts to reduce turf that is not suited to Colorado's arid climate and demands excessive resources to maintain. Functional vs Nonfunctional Turf Functional turf refers to grass that is used for recreational activities such as sports fields, playgrounds, and golf courses. Nonfunctional turf refers to non-native grass that is not actively used for recreation or other purposes such as turf found in street medians.

Become a Pollinator Safe Community Leader! Do you want your neighborhood and local businesses to be safe places for pollinators and people alike? Are you a dedicated, passionate individual? You may be a perfect fit to become a Pollinator Safe Community Leader! One of our important goals as an organization is to empower you to be part of creating a Pollinator Safe movement around Colorado. Advocating for a Pollinator Safe Community (PSC) can be as easy as talking to your neighbors and local businesses and asking them to sign our pollinator pledge! If this sounds like an opportunity that's right for you, please check out our PSC guide for ideas to get you started, and fill out the form below to receive more information! We are also working to build out this program to better fit the needs of interested people like you! So please let us know if you have ideas or suggestions to amplify this work, and stay tuned for updated processes and materials coming soon! PSC Guide Thank you for making a commitment to support pollinators! It is because of people like you that we are able to create critical pollinator habitat and change the way people think about, and interact with, pesticides. Neighbor to neighbor education and outreach is a very effective tool in a time when residents feel powerless in the face of large-scale environmental threats. VOLUNTEER Interested in more ways to get involved with PPAN? We have lots of volunteer roles to suit whatever you're interested in doing! Click below for more information and to sign up for our volunteer list! LEARN MORE