Pollinator Protection
Californians depend on managed bees and other pollinators to help produce many of our state’s agricultural products and to maintain a healthy environment.
DPR supports pollinator protection by fostering communication and cooperation among beekeepers, growers, pest control advisers, applicators, and regulators on pest management regulatory decisions. DPR works in partnership with county agricultural commissioners (CACs) to enforce pesticide use regulations. More information about DPRs Enforcement Program can be found here.
California Managed Pollinator Protection Plan
As part of DPRs commitment to protection of pollinators in California, the department has developed a Managed Pollinator Protection Plan.
BeeWhere
Beekeepers are required in the state of California to register their beehives with the county agricultural commissioner’s office overseeing the county where the beehives are located. Licensed pest control advisors and growers must check if bee colonies will be present within one mile of a considered application site on or around the potential application date. Beekeepers, bee brokers, licensed pest control advisors, and growers can fulfill their obligations on the BeeWhere website, an apiary registration and notification system hosted by calagpermits.org. For more information regarding BeeWhere and assistance in registering beehives, contact your local County Agricultural Commissioner’s office.
Regulations to Protect Pollinators: Neonicotinoid Regulations (2024)
In 2024, DPR implemented regulations to protect pollinators from exposure to neonicotinoid pesticide products. The regulations restrict the use of neonicotinoid pesticides on certain food and feed crops.
Fact sheets for applicators, growers on regulations and neonicotinoid pesticides:
How to Help Pollinators
Government agencies are working to gather data and implement and enforce regulations to protect pollinators. If you want to get involved in your community, here are a few ideas:
- Build a pollinator garden
- Become a citizen scientist
- Examples of citizen scientist projects include Nature’s Notebook, Project Budburst, Monarch Watch and more!
- Use Integrated and Sustainable Pest Management
- Search for resources under DPR’s Sustainable Pest Management and Integrated Pest Management Tab such as Bee Friendly with IPM!
State and Federal Regulations
Sign Up for Email Updates
Keep in the loop by subscribing to one or more of our email distribution lists.
*= Required Field
Still have a Question or Need More Information?
Please contact us with questions or visit the Contact Us page on our website to connect with other programs at DPR.
Email: ENF.HQ@cdpr.ca.gov