By Blake Jackson
A group of Wisconsin lawmakers has reintroduced a series of bipartisan bills called the Pollinator Protection Package. This effort aims to protect bees, butterflies, and other essential pollinators by addressing pesticide use, plant labelling, and promoting native plant habitats.
Democrat Rep. Lee Snodgrass and Republican Rep. Elijah Behnke joined Sen. Jeff Smith and others in presenting the package on May 30. Smith, who represents parts of western Wisconsin, emphasized that the bills focus on pesticide regulation and restoring native habitats, as more than 400 pollinator species in the state are currently at risk.
Pollinators contribute over $55 million annually to Wisconsin’s crop production. However, natural food sources for pollinators are disappearing due to increasing urban development. The new bills aim to tackle this issue through seven legislative proposals.
One bill allows local governments to regulate the use of certain pesticides—currently not permitted under state law. Another bill would ban the sale of plants labeled “pollinator-friendly” if treated with harmful pesticides. There’s also a proposed ban on neonicotinoid insecticides on Department of Natural Resources (DNR) lands.
Other measures include requiring native plantings by state agencies and introducing a new license plate—“Protect Pollinators”—to fund conservation efforts. A resolution has also been proposed to recognize June 2025 as Pollinator Awareness Month.
The package includes a bill to name the endangered rusty patched bumblebee as the state’s official native insect. This species is the first bumblebee listed as federally endangered and is found in only a few states and one Canadian province.
Sen. Smith highlighted that the city of Eau Claire has already transformed over 90 acres into pollinator-friendly spaces, showing how local action can lead the way.
Photo Credit: istock-fangxianuo
Categories: Wisconsin, Government & Policy