Partnership & Grantee Highlights
VPIRG – Vermont Public Interest Research Group
Protecting the health, enviroment and the economy of Vermont’s people
Bees, birds, and other pollinators are dying off at an alarming rate, threatening not only biodiversity but our agricultural economy. One Hive awarded VPIREF, the Vermont Public Interest Research and Education Fund, with a grant to develop a campaign that would protect our pollinators by phasing out the use of neonicotinoid pesticides and support farmers in that transition. VPIREF was founded in 1975 as the 501(c)3 arm of the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG). VPIREF produces original research, policy analyses, and creative tools to educate the public and decision makers about critical issues facing the state.
With One Hive support, VPIREF collaborated with a coalition of allies and experts to build an impactful campaign to engage, educate, and inspire Vermonters to learn about what’s threatening our pollinators and take action to help end the use of bee killing pesticides. VPIREF successfully commissioned a statewide public opinion survey to determine public attitudes around the use of pesticides and the opportunity to restrict those that harm pollinators. Additionally, VPIREF developed a media campaign that promoted the importance of beekeepers in Vermont and showcased how important they are to the farming community.
With One Hive support, VPIREF collaborated with a coalition of allies and experts to build an impactful campaign to engage, educate, and inspire Vermonters to learn about what’s threatening our pollinators and take action to help end the use of bee killing pesticides. VPIREF successfully commissioned a statewide public opinion survey to determine public attitudes around the use of pesticides and the opportunity to restrict those that harm pollinators. Additionally, VPIREF developed a media campaign that promoted the importance of beekeepers in Vermont and showcased how important they are to the farming community.
On June 17, 2024, the Vermont legislature overrode the governor’s veto and passed the Pollinator Protection Act, making Vermont the second state in the U.S. (after New York) to phase out toxic neonic pesticides.
But our work didn’t end there! Decision makers need to know that the public cares and are holding them accountable to develop and move these rules forward. We demonstrate that through petition signatures, polling results, and visual evidence of support either online or through photo petitions. The VPIRG 2024 Canvass program, which runs from May – August, highlighted this campaign, providing educational materials such as brochures and fact sheets, and actionable steps individuals can take to support the effort. Through that effort we were able to garner 14,010 petition signatures, hold 19,441 conversations, and knock on 63,802 doors.
But our work didn’t end there! Decision makers need to know that the public cares and are holding them accountable to develop and move these rules forward. We demonstrate that through petition signatures, polling results, and visual evidence of support either online or through photo petitions. The VPIRG 2024 Canvass program, which runs from May – August, highlighted this campaign, providing educational materials such as brochures and fact sheets, and actionable steps individuals can take to support the effort. Through that effort we were able to garner 14,010 petition signatures, hold 19,441 conversations, and knock on 63,802 doors.
Moving forward, we will take those petition signatures and present them to the Agency of Agriculture to ensure that they work to move these new rules forward. Additionally, VPIREF will work to develop a new series of public education ads while simultaneously researching and developing alternative pest management solutions and a specific plan and rules to phase out neonics. The ban on neonicotinoid pesticides will begin on July 1st, 2025, and will be fully implemented in 2029. None of this work or the accomplishments we’ve listed would have been possible without One Hive’s support.
10.12.2024
10.12.2024
10.12.2024