So, apparently, we still haven't saved the bees.
Or the birds.
Or the butterflies.
Wicked cool.
We've got work to do. We're a grassroots coalition tackling pesticide reform in New Hampshire, making research accessible to everyday people, and working toward sensible policies that protect our future. Because it turns out yelling into the void isn't as effective as neonicotinoids. Who knew?
Individuals and conservation organizations in New Hampshire united in our advocacy for a significant reduction in dangerous pesticides. We tackle pesticide reform by sharing research, building community, and working toward sensible policies that protect people and the environment. No jargon, no BS, just the facts you need to understand what's happening.
Research & Evidence
Here's what the science is telling us about pesticides and their impact on our environment. We break down the research so you don't have to wade through academic jargon.
Health Professionals' Letter on Neonicotinoid Risks
2020
Environmental Health Scientists & Health Professionals
Roughly half of people over 3 years old in the US population showed evidence of recent neonicotinoid exposure, with young children showing the highest concentrations.
Neonics detected in 80% of spinach and 73% of applesauce samples nationwide, and they cannot be removed by washing or peeling due to their systemic properties.
USGS (United States Geological Survey) found neonics in over half of streams tested across 25 states, with conventional drinking water treatment systems largely ineffective at removing them.
Regional Neonicotinoid Bans Show Promising Results for Farmers and Environment
2025
Audubon Vermont
Quebec farmers reduced neonic use to just 0.5% of corn acreage after the province banned neonicotinoid-treated seeds in 2019 unless prescribed by an agronomist, proving most farmers can transition successfully.
No crop yield decline occurred during Quebec's transition away from neonics, contradicting industry claims that these pesticides are essential for maintaining agricultural productivity.
Vermont's 2024 "Neonic Bill" bans most neonic uses by 2029 while New York extends its phase-out to the same timeline, showing coordinated regional policy momentum across the Northeast.
Penn State Study: 150 Million Acres Treated with Neonics, Little Agricultural Benefit
2022
Penn State University / The Conversation
150 million acres of U.S. cropland treated with neonics annually - an area the size of Texas - with almost every corn seed and half of soybean seeds coated, yet 40% of farmers unaware their seeds contain pesticides.
Only 2% of applied neonicotinoids actually enter seedlings while the remaining 98% contaminates soil and waterways, creating widespread environmental pollution with minimal crop protection.
Recent field studies show neonicotinoid-coated seeds provide limited insect control because target pest populations tend to be scarce, making widespread prophylactic treatment economically unjustified.
NH Conservation Groups Document Lethal and Sublethal Effects of Neonicotinoids
2025
NH Audubon
Neonicotinoids impair pollinator navigation and reduce foraging efficiency even at low exposure levels, while also reducing reproductive success and weakening immune systems in bees and other beneficial insects.
Pesticides persist in soil and water, affecting beneficial organisms beyond target pests, contaminating the resources that pollinators and other wildlife depend on for survival.
Diverse native plant ecosystems reduce pest outbreaks naturally while supporting beneficial predators like ladybugs and parasitic wasps, providing effective pest control without chemical inputs.
Showing 3 of 4 studies
Take Action
Ready to make a difference? Here are concrete ways you can get involved in pesticide reform in New Hampshire.
Join Our Coalition
Connect with like-minded individuals and organizations working toward pesticide reform.
Understanding the pesticides that are reshaping our environment
Systemic Insecticides
Neonicotinoids are absorbed by plants and spread throughout their tissues (leaves, flowers, roots, pollen, and nectar). Unlike spray pesticides, they can't be washed off or peeled away from food.
95%
Environmental Waste
Only 5% of applied neonics are absorbed by plants. The rest contaminates soil and water.
150M
Acres Treated
Nearly every corn seed and half of soybean seeds in the US are coated with neonics.
40%
Farmers Unaware
Many farmers don't know their seeds contain pesticides when they buy them.
How Neonics Work
1
Seed Coating
Seeds are coated with neonicotinoid pesticides before planting
2
Plant Absorption
Only 5% gets absorbed by the growing plant for pest protection
3
Environmental Spread
95% washes into soil, streams, and groundwater
4
Persistent Contamination
Pesticides remain active for months or years, affecting wildlife
The Impact
🐝
Bees & Pollinators
Impaired navigation, reduced foraging efficiency, weakened immune systems
🐦
Birds
Eating just a few treated seeds can be lethal to birds
🐟
Aquatic Life
Poison aquatic invertebrates that fish and other wildlife depend on