Tell Santa Monica to Legalize Beekeeping

Tell Santa Monica to Legalize Beekeeping

Started
November 4, 2010
Petition to
Councilmember Robert Holbrook and 6 others
Confirmed victory
This petition made change with 190 supporters!

Why this petition matters

Started by Kristen Ridley

Update: 12/17/10: Following in the footsteps of cities like Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Salt Lake City, and Seattle, the Santa Monica City Council voted unanimously to legalize beekeeping. The move came after nearly 200 Change.org members petitioned the City Council asking members to give urban beekeeping the green light. You can read more about this victory here.

The City of Santa Monica currently outlaws beekeeping, and the city's policy is to exterminate all feral bees. With worldwide bee populations threatened with Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD) and backyard beekeeping more popular than ever, this policy needs to change.

According to the USDA, about one-third of our food is thanks to the work of bees, making CCD a huge food security issue. Feral bees, being subject to natural selection but not to the rough treatment and chemicals of commercial beekeeping, are far more robust than their commercial cousins. As commercial colonies collapse at an alarming rate, it is crucial that this population be protected.

Luckily the City Council is considering a review of the law. Sign our petition to let the Santa Monica City Council know that this is an important issue that they should move on as soon as possible. Ask them to repeal the code outlawing beekeeping and to establish a live bee rescue policy, allowing thriving populations of healthy feral bees to be relocated to the agricultural areas that need them.

Confirmed victory

This petition made change with 190 supporters!

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Decision Makers

  • Robert HolbrookCouncilmember
  • Kevin McKeownCouncilmember
  • Pam O'ConnorMayor Pro Tempore
  • Terry O'DayCouncilmember
  • Bobby ShriverMayor of Santa Monica