A Grassroots Initiative
The Massachusetts Pollinator Network was formed to bring together individuals, community groups, organizations, and researchers who are working to protect pollinators across the Commonwealth. Through exchange of information, knowledge, and ideas, we can more effectively expand pollinator habitat and more rapidly mobilize our friends and neighbors in support of pesticide reduction practices and policy reforms. This initiative builds on the momentum generated by local, grassroots organizations including the Western Mass Pollinator Network, Bee Friendly Williamstown, Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways, Wing and a Prayer Pollinator Nursery, Greening Greenfield’s Planting for Pollinators!, and many others who have been working toward a vision of statewide coordination. In keeping with this vision, the MAPN integrates the work of the Community Pesticides Reduction (CPR) Network (a project of NOFA/Mass and Community Action Works) and the Network Coordinator is a member of the NOFA/Mass Policy Department.
Our Leadership Team
Committe Coordinator:
Renée Scott, NOFA/Mass Pollinator Protection Program; Co-Founder, Green and Open Somerville
Our programming and activities are guided by a volunteer steering commitee comprised of community leaders and professional conservationists and land managers from across the state. Our committee members are:
- Peggy MacLeod, Co-Founder, Western Mass Pollinator Networks
- Heidi Dollard, Co-Chair, Masss Pollinator Network
- Brucie Moulton, Sustainable Arlingon, Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways
- Kim DeAndrade, Mystic Charles Pollinator Pathways
- Gary Bowden, Pollinator Pathways Cape Cod
- Cynthia Grippaldi, Berkshire Conservation District
- Anne O’Connor, Bee Friendly Williamstown
- Amy Meltzer, Elders Climate Action Research Team and Natural Solutions working group, MA Chapter
- Anna Hanchett, Chair, Plainfield Agricultural Commission
- Vivian Orlowski, Director, Housatonic Heritage’s Operation Pollination; Chair, Great Barrington Agricultural Commission
- Charlie Wyman, Lexington Living Landscapes
- Ellen Anderson, Petersham Pollinator Protection Campaign
- Elizabeth Erickson, Greening Greenfield
- Evan Abramson, Principal, Landscape Interactions
- Dan Jaffe Wilder, Norcross Wildlife Sanctuary
- Amy Pulley, Principal, Wing and a Prayer Nursery
- Rosemary Malfi, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
Why was the Mass Pollinator Network formed?
We are tackling head-on the challenges facing pollinators by promoting sustainable gardening and land management practices that focus on increasing native plants and decreasing chemical inputs, by providing free and accessible educational events for the public, and by actively organizing around and advocating for local and state policy reforms that will improve pollinator health in the Commonwealth.
Over 200 individual donors made it possible to hire a Pollinator Network Coordinator through April 2022. Thank you! We are grateful for your generous support of our work.
You can help sustain this initiative by making a contribution via our RallyUp page.
Who is in the Network?
This map displays community groups and conservation organizations across the state that are focused on improving pollinator health. Also displayed are towns that have passed pollinator-friendly resolutions and related local policies. Don’t see your group on the map? Let us know!
Lead Sponsors and Partners Include:
