Steve Blackledge
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America
We're working to eliminate toxic neonic pesticides, which attack bees' brains and contribute to the massive die-offs of honeybees, native bees and more.
As bees emerge this spring, they’ll face a fierce and familiar enemy: neonicotinoid pesticides.
Called “neonics” for short, these neurotoxins attack bees’ brains, and they’re one of the factors driving massive die-offs of honeybees, native bees and more. We know we can’t afford to lose the bees — given the vital role they play in pollination, bees carry the weight of entire ecosystems on their tiny backs.
That’s why we’re bringing together the whole Environment America hive this Earth Day to protect bees from toxic pesticides.
Neonics are most commonly applied to seeds before they’re even planted — including nearly all corn and much of the soy and cotton planted in the United States. Even the plants for sale at your local garden center may have been grown from neonic-coated seeds.
As those seeds grow, the neurotoxin is incorporated into every part of the plant: the stem, leaves, pollen, nectar and sap. One study found that our agricultural landscape is now 48 times more toxic to bees than it was just 25 years ago, almost entirely due to neonics.
And when bees set out to dutifully gather nectar and pollen, they’re also gathering tiny doses of deadly pesticides to bring home to the hive. Neonics cause permanent brain damage in baby bees and diminish bees’ ability to learn, navigate and forage.
When the whole Environment America hive comes together, we raise a buzz that wins real change. By standing with us this Earth Day, you become an essential part of all of our work. Together:
These are campaigns I know we can win — but only with your support.
Earth Day is the day we not only celebrate our amazing planet but also remember the hard work and action it takes to keep our environment healthy and whole.
We’ve set a goal of raising $100,000 this Earth Day to save the bees and stand up for a greener, healthier planet. Will you donate to our Earth Day 2023 Drive today?
Bees are dying and they need our help. Will you make your Earth Day 2023 gift today to help save the bees?
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Steve directs Environment America’s efforts to protect our public lands and waters and the species that depend on them. He led our successful campaign to win full and permanent funding for our nation’s best conservation and recreation program, the Land and Water Conservation Fund. He previously oversaw U.S. PIRG’s public health campaigns. Steve lives in Sacramento, California, with his family, where he enjoys biking and exploring Northern California.