Young Adults who work with Environment Maine Meeting at Restaurant Local Sprouts to Plan Their Canvassing.  Graham is Third from Left in Above Photo.

“Bees are dying off at alarming rates across the United States, threatening our food supply.  This summer young adults who work with Environment Maine will be visiting neighborhoods around Maine to talk about how we can work together to same the bees.

“Many of the fruits and vegetables growing across Maine will be a thing of the past if bees keep dying off at their current rate.  Many people are worried that our bees are dying but they often don’t know what they can do to help,” said Graham Munro-Ludderd, canvasser with Environment Maine, who grew up in Bath and now attends Drew University.  “I’m walking our neighborhoods this summer to not only educate people about this critical problem, but also to encourage them to act.  That’s the fun and rewarding part.”

Worldwide 100 crops provide 90% of the worlds food and bees pollinate 71% of the.  Neonicotinod pesticide, commonly referred to as “neonics,” threaten bee populations.  Maryland ad Connecticut have already banned neonics for consumers.

“No bees means no food and the first step in saving the bees is getting rid of the pesticides that kill them,” said Anya Fletcher, canvas director with Environment Mane.  “Maine can play a big role by banning the sale of neonics to consumers and banning the needless practice of coating seeds.”

While other facts including global warming, habitat loss and disease contribute to bees dying, those problems require long-term solutions. Banning neonics is a step our state can take today, so expect to see our canvassers around town, knocking on doors to raise awareness of the issue, according to a press release from Carissa Maurin, M.S.