Wisconsin Neonics Forum – Oct. 30, 2024
Wisconsin's Green Fire, November 1, 2024

Written by Paul Heinen, WGF Policy Director, Edited by Carolyn Pralle, WGF Communications and Outreach Coordinator
Wisconsin’s Green Fire (WGF) co-sponsored the first-ever Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024.
Our attendees to the Wisconsin Neonics Forum included executive director Meleesa Johnson, work group members Mark Asplund and Bill Fisher, agricultural projects coordinator Ben Becker and policy director Paul Heinen. One of the opening speakers and moderators of the event was Michael Williamson, a WGF Science Council member and Trout Unlimited State Council member.
The focus of the one-day in-person and virtual conference was neonicotinoid use on the agricultural landscape.
- View more information about the speakers and topics at the forum here.
- View recordings of the forum presentations on Clean Wisconsin’s YouTube channel here.
- Wisconsin Neonic Forum Parts 1 – 4
What are neonicotinoids?
Neonicotinoids, also known as “neonics,” are insecticides based on nicotine compounds, hence the name. The compounds disrupt the nervous systems of insects and kill them. Generally, neonics are spread in liquid form over the seeds of corn and soybeans (and other plants and vegetables) and then sold to farmers. Nearly all corn seed is now coated in neonics. Neonics are 5,000 to 10,000 times more toxic to insects than DDT, the widespread pesticide banned in 1972. Some neonics have been banned in Europe and several states in the United States. Neonics can negatively impact bees, aquatic insects, birds, fish and other organisms (including humans). Neonics are widely used in Wisconsin for agriculture and residential pesticide use. Neonics have been detected in some drinking water wells and many irrigation wells in Wisconsin.
What’s next for Wisconsin’s Green Fire on neonics?
WGF’s executive director Meleesa Johnson said:
“Neonics pose real dangers to the health of our ecosystems, from insects to fish, birds, other wildlife and, of course, people. This is a classic example of an issue that demands the broad multi-disciplinary approach of our experts. It will demand a lot of teamwork and Wisconsin’s Green Fire will be working with its statewide partners to address the dangers of neonics.”
The conference ended with the 250 attendees strategizing about next steps to changing Wisconsin’s policy on the use of this dangerous insecticide. We will keep you up to date as we continue to be engaged on this important issue.

Attendees gather at Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024, Meleesa Johnson and Bill Fisher of WGF in foreground

Panelists at Wisconsin Neonics Forum in Madison on October 30, 2024
Contact us with your questions or thoughts about our work on science-based conservation!
If our work on neonics, clean water, sustainable agriculture, fish and wildlife or other topics mentioned here inspired or informed you, please consider supporting our work with a donation to Wisconsin’s Green Fire. An annual gift of any amount makes you a member. Thank you!