Protect Our Pollinators

Transcript: 

Hi, folks. This is your State Senator Jeff Smith, checking in for the Chippewa Valley.

As spring turns into summer, the importance of protecting Wisconsin’s native pollinators—bees, butterflies and so on—cannot be overstated. Pollinators are critical to our environment and our food supply—but they’re in trouble. 

We have over 400 local pollinator species, and yet, Wisconsin is one of only 19 states without legal protections for these immensely beneficial insects. Without these laws, we risk irreversible damage not only to our agricultural economic system, but also our very own food supply. 

That’s why I’ve introduced a series of bills to raise awareness, change how we manage our land, and give local communities more tools to protect pollinators.

First, we’re encouraging state agencies to plant native prairie and forage plants—the natural food sources that help pollinators thrive. 

We want to make sure that when you buy a plant labeled 'pollinator-friendly'—it actually is. That’s why one bill bans false-labeling if the plant contains harmful insecticides. And we’re also empowering local governments to regulate pesticides that harm pollinators.

This legislative package is about preserving the future of pollinators, our food systems, and our natural beauty here in Wisconsin. 

This is Senator Jeff Smith signing off.