Saving America's Pollinators Act of 2019 - Fall

Team Members: Caroline Blanck, Zachary Byrum, Mengbi Chen, Molly Dunton, Jonathan Eckman, Angelie Gomez, Desiree Herrera, Brighton Kaoma, Isabella Powers, Laura Thornton

Pollinators, particularly bees, are essential to agricultural productivity and food security, supporting billions of dollars in crop production annually. However, pollinator populations have declined sharply due to pesticide exposure, habitat loss, and disease, threatening agricultural systems and ecosystem stability. Neonicotinoid pesticides, widely used in modern agriculture, have been identified as a primary contributor to colony collapse disorder and declining pollinator health. The Saving America’s Pollinators Act addresses these threats by banning harmful pesticides, strengthening regulatory oversight, and expanding scientific research and monitoring programs to better understand and protect pollinator populations.

Program implementation centers on establishing a Pollinator Protection Board responsible for reviewing pesticide approvals, coordinating federal research, and developing regulatory recommendations. The program integrates scientific research, regulatory reform, and interagency coordination to ensure long-term pollinator recovery. Performance metrics include reductions in pesticide exposure, improved pollinator population monitoring, and strengthened scientific understanding of pollinator health. By restructuring pesticide regulation and investing in research and conservation, the program supports the recovery of pollinator populations, protects agricultural productivity, and strengthens the resilience of food systems.

Learn more about the MPA-ESP Workshop in Applied Earth Systems Management.