Sustainable Neighborhood Network

Bee Safe Neighborhoods

What is a Bee Safe Neighborhood?
Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhood Program is collaborating with the Living Systems Institute on the Bee Safe Neighborhood program. Bee Safe Neighborhoods bring neighbors together to create a place that is safe for bees and other pollinators and for people too! The program aims to eliminate the use of neonic and systemic pesticides. Neighbors sign a pledge to create environments that are safe for bees and other pollinators. The pledge is, first, not to use insecticide products that contain neonicotinoids or systemics, and then optionally, to also plant bee-friendly plants.

Bee Safe neighborhoods provide:

• A safety zone for pollinators to collect pollen without being poisoned.
• A cleaner, healthier and more biologically diverse environment without toxins.
• A community of neighbors who are working together to improve the places where they live.
• The personal satisfaction of knowing that we are helping to preserve the pollinators!

How can I get one of those “Bee Safe” Yard Signs?
There are two ways to get involved:

1. Do you live in one of Lakewood’s Sustainable Neighborhoods that is working to become “Bee Safe?”

• Applewood
• Eiber
• Green Mountain
• Southern Gables

If you live in one of these Sustainable Neighborhoods, you can sign a pledge agreeing not to use systemic pesticides and receive your Bee Safe yard sign.  Email SustainableNeighborhoods@Lakewood.org to get in contact your neighborhood coordinator.

2. If your neighborhood is not on this list, that’s ok! You can visit the Living Systems Institute website for information about becoming a neighborhood leader.

What are systemic pesticides and neonicotinoids?
Systemics, including neonicotinoids, are chemicals that permeate the whole plant: roots, stem, branches, leaves, pollen and nectar. Any and all insects that land on the plant or feed on the plant are exposed to the chemical and can suffer damage or death. The soil surrounding the plant can also become contaminated. Systemics can accumulate in the soil and last for several years.

How do I know if I am using systemic pesticides or neonic pesticides?
Check the ingredient label on insecticides.  Neonic pesticides include the following chemicals:  acetamiprid, clothianidin, cyantraniliprole, dinotefuran, imidacloprid, sulfoxaflor, thiacloprid, thiamethoxam. 

More information:

Buying Bee Safe Plants in Metro Denver 2019

Living Institute Bee Safe Program Information

Resources About Bees

Learn how you can get your neighbors signed up!