Thank you to all who participated in our 3rd Annual Creepy Crawly Campaign to protect beneficial bugs and other creatures from the impacts of pesticides!
Studies suggest that 40 percent of insect species are in decline, with many facing extinction. Healthy ecosystems and food chains depend on diverse insect populations. While a number of factors are impacting insect declines, pesticides play a key role.
You probably already know that pollinators are in trouble. Systemic pesticides, especially a class called neonicotinoids, have been especially detrimental to bees since their introduction in the 1990s. New findings show that bees aren’t the only crucial insects we should be worried about. Moths, butterflies, beetles, and caddisflies are also at risk.
The campaign involved:
1. Learn About Healthy Habitat
Now is a great time to start planning your garden for next spring. Prep your garden beds by planting flowering cover crops and consider what beneficial bug habitat you can incorporate. Watch our introduction to creating healthy habitat here:
2. Online Sweepstakes Raffle
We launched the Creepy Crawly Sweepstakes with goods and services from regional businesses that are committed to protecting ecosystem health. In 2020, we raised $2,400 to support our advocacy work to safeguard pollinators as well as fish and wildlife habitat from the detrimental effects of pesticides. This year we exceeded that and raised $2,660! Thank you to all who purchased tickets. Congratulations to the winners: Sarah P. and Kelsea S.
3. Creepy Crawly Social Media
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for posts about the benefits of some of our favorite creepy crawly friends.
Thank you to our 2021 Creepy Crawly Campaign sponsors!
Signature Sponsors: 
Sweepstakes Donors: Moon Valley Organics, Down to Earth, GloryBee, Frey Vineyards, Mountain Rose Herbs, Backcountry Gear, Patagonia, Purple Sage Farms, Rexius, Wondercide, Wilco