An Act to Protect Massachusetts Pollinators Bill H. 4041

Massachusetts residents, it’s time to contact your legislators. The main purpose of this bill is to reduce the use of neonicotinoids. The plan is to require certification for those using neonics on their plants. It will also be required of certified users of neonics to inform their customers about potential effects of of the chemicals. They will also need to give them alternative options.

Another plan is to remove non native grasses on solar energy installation property owned by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation. They plan to replace the grasses with native, flowering plants. The idea is to increase habitat for pollinators. This is not only for honeybees, but all pollinators.

Here is the link to read what is being proposed:
https://malegislature.gov/Bills/190/H4041

This is the website of the person that originated the bill:
http://www.carolyndykema.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/H.4041-Pollinator-Health-Fact-Sheet.pdf

Here is a link to find your legislators in Massachusetts:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator

Even though this is not a great plan, at least it it a plan. It is a step in the right direction. All of the pollinators are suffering and we all need to take steps to help them. Education is the most important piece. The more people know about what is going on the better the chances are of making a change.

If you haven’t contacted your legislators, now is the time. Let them know that you want to see change in Massachusetts and you want to work toward protecting our precious pollinators. You can also help by making sure that you are not using pesticides, herbicides, or fungicides in your own garden. Taking care of our pollinators requires help from everyone, so while the state is working on passing this bill you can start taking steps to protect the pollinators near you.