Join Wild Ones for a free webinar, “Neonics & Advocacy: Protecting Pollinators and Influencing Policy,” featuring Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team. Learn about the environmental impact of neonicotinoid insecticides, the leading causes of pollinator and wildlife declines, and advocacy strategies to influence policies at both state and federal levels. This webinar will cover neonics’ effects on pollinators, birds, aquatic ecosystems, and human health, as well as solutions to reduce their use in agriculture and landscaping. Don’t miss this opportunity to gain expert insights and actionable strategies for protecting our ecosystems.
About the Webinar
Neonicotinoid insecticides, commonly known as “neonics,” have become the most widely used insecticides in the U.S., leading to drastic declines in bees, pollinators, birds, and aquatic ecosystems. In this webinar, Lucas Rhoads, Senior Attorney with NRDC’s Pesticides & Pollinators Team, will share expert insights on how neonics impact our environment and pose serious risks to human health. He’ll delve into the harms associated with neonic-treated seeds, which are a major source of contamination, and explore effective policy advocacy strategies to rein in their widespread use without disrupting farmers or landscapers.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the environmental and health impacts of neonicotinoid insecticides.
- Learn how treated seeds contribute to widespread contamination.
- Gain actionable advocacy tactics to reduce neonic use and protect pollinators.
- Discover alternative insecticides and how to tie these efforts to sustainable landscaping.
This webinar will empower participants with the knowledge to influence policy changes and advocate effectively at state and federal levels.
About the Presenter
As an attorney within NRDC’s Wildlife Division, Lucas Rhoads works to protect bees and other pollinators from a wide range of threats, including pesticide use, habitat destruction, and climate change. He advocates at both the federal and state levels for policies that protect these vital species—while employing litigation to enhance and enforce existing protections. Prior to joining NRDC, Rhoads was the Ferraro Fellow at Public Justice, where he litigated cases to combat corporate abuses in a variety of areas. Rhoads holds a bachelor’s degree in natural resource policy and management from Cornell University and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. He is based in NRDC’s Washington, D.C. office.