Bees are vital to ecological health and global food security. Hundreds of thousands of plants depend on bees for pollination, including key fruit and vegetable crops. But bee populations are collapsing, with alarming consequences for the future.

Research exploring the causes of colony collapse disorder has discovered various causes, including global warming, habitat loss, parasites and a class of bee-killing pesticides called neonicotinoids (or neonics). The threats of habitat fragmentation, degradation and loss and neonicotinoid use have been particularly well-documented and assessed by the ecological research community.

The threat of colony collapse deserves immediate attention from state policymakers. Environmental Action investigated bee-saving policies nationwide and graded states on their efforts. Read the Beeport Card to discover how your state ranks!