Here’s How to Sign the Petition for a New Pollinator Plate in Indiana

A new petition gives Hoosiers the chance to share the buzz about their love of pollinators - and the opportunity for a new license plate option.

Pollinators Play a Crucial Role in Our Ecosystem

Pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, play a crucial role in our ecosystem by helping plants reproduce. Unfortunately, their populations are declining due to habitat loss

Save the Bees, Save the Food

Bees and other pollinators like monarch butterflies are responsible for much of our food sources. 90% of plants on the planet rely on pollinators, according to PlanetBee.org.

The vast majority of plant species-- almost 90%, in fact-- rely on pollinators to reproduce. Pollination is the process by which pollinators help plants to produce fruit (technically anything with seeds on the inside, so that includes things we normally think of as vegetables, like cucumbers, green beans and tomatoes) by transporting pollen from one flower to another. There are approximately 200,000 different species of animals around the world that act as pollinators.

More Than Just the Bees are In Danger - Save All Pollinators

More than just the bees, pollinators as a whole are in danger, and that's a real bad thing for us humans. According to UNEP.org,

But sadly, bees and other pollinators, such as butterflies, bats and hummingbirds, are increasingly under threat from human activities.

Bee populations have been declining globally over recent decades due to habitat loss, intensive farming practices, changes in weather patterns and the excessive use of agrochemicals such as pesticides. This in turn poses a threat to a variety of plants critical to human well-being and livelihoods.

A New Specialty Plate Has Been Proposed in Indiana

A new specialty license plate has been proposed in Indiana. The proposal is a partnership between Indiana resident and monarch butterfly advocate Lisa Conrad, and Pollinator Partnership, the country's largest non-profit dedicated to the protecting our pollinators.

READ MORE: This Native Plant is the Sole Food Source for Monarch Caterpillars

500 Signatures Required on the Petition to Get the Project Off the Ground

Before the specialty plates can be made available to the public, Indiana requires the signatures of 500 Hoosiers who not only support the proposed plate, but also pledge to purchase it when it becomes available.

A Portion of the Proceeds Will Support Education and Habitat Restoration

The proposed new license plate design celebrates both bees and monarch butterflies, as well as the native plants. A portion of every license plate sold will go towards supporting education and habitat restoration for pollinators and native plants across Indiana.

How Can You Help The Pollinator Plate Come to Fruition

The project needs at least 500 signatures. You can download a printable version of the petition here. Once printed, you will need to not only sign it but get 9 of your friends to sign it as well - each form must have at least 10 signatures on it. Once you have 10 signatures, you can email your completed form to predfield@pollinator.org. The deadline to sign and send back the petition in March 30, 2025.

Learn More About the Pollinator Partnership

Pollinator Partnership was first founded in 1997, and the organization works across all of North America to protect our precious pollinators - bees, butterflies, moths, birds, and bats. P2 works to create habitats, support policies, and educated the community. According to a press release, P2 has worked hard in Indiana where they have: ·

• Initiated and supported habitat enhancement projects with farms, schools, and community groups.
• Provided free educational resources and seed mixes for local garden and conservation initiatives.
• Worked with municipal and state agencies to improve pollinator policy and planning.
• Trained community members and conservation professionals through Bee Friendly Gardening, Project Wingspan, and Pollinator Steward Certification programming.
• P2 also employs Indiana-based staff who help lead these on-the-ground efforts and partnerships.

To learn more, you can follow Pollinator Partnership on Facebook.