The time has come for us to take responsibility! Our friends, those critters who we share the earth with are in trouble. Insects are dying and we must do something about it. We must save the insects before they are all gone and we live in an insect-less world. Together we can stop the senseless murders, the pesticides, the pest control police and together we can ban the sale of agents sold over the counter to help rid of our friends. This group is for those who want to make a difference. For those who have a voice and are not scared to use it, to speak up for the ones who cannot! Join us! Let’s unite and stop the madness before the madness stops you!
California is home to an incredibly diverse biota. In addition to over 30,000 species of insects, California boasts 563 birds, 96 reptiles, 190 mammals and well over 5000 species of plants. And the numbers only tell part of the story. The geographical diversity which is responsible for this great biological diversity has also helped to preserve many unusual species, for example, giant redwoods and California Condors. Many unique insects are also restricted almost entirely to California. Rain beetles, Timema walking sticks, and Diphyllostoma beetles, to name a very few, all represent ancient lineages which are centered in California today.
However, California is also home to an incredible diversity of humans, over 30 million of us and counting. As we occupy more and more space and demand more and more resources, we are disrupting the delicate systems which maintain the state's great biotic diversity. Some bioregions have almost completely succumbed to the pressures of development, such as the Central Valley, historically a mosaic of marshes, grasslands, and riparian woodland.
The insects are merely indicators telling us that something is wrong. We should pay attention or we will all be fucked.

What can you do?

Adopt an Insect
The California Department of Fish and Game, in cooperation with The National Audubon Society, operates a program through which you or your group (class, society or organization) may 'adopt' a threatened species of insect (or other organism). By adopting an insect you agree to be an advocate for that species, by promoting protection of its habitat and research on its needs, and by getting out in the field and sweating on the insects behalf. For example, an elementary school class has adopted the Mission Blue butterfly (Icaricia icarioides missionensis) and has participated in efforts to replant its host lupine plants in disturbed areas. The program is a wonderful way to get involved in species conservation. Species available for adoption include all State and Federally listed species as well as "species of concern," species which may be threatened but which have yet to receive formal government protection.
For more information or to participate in this program contact:
Meryl Sundove
National Audobon Society
376 Greenwood Beach Rd.
Tiburon, CA 94920
(415) 388-2524 Ext. 27

Try these other methods to help the insects:

Watch where you step!: Remember that wherever you trod there could be a multitude of insects crawling, hopping or slithering. Make way for them!

Boycott the Agricultural Industry: As mentioned on the hit list topic, the agricultural industry is the number one killer of insects through the use of pesticides. To show that you will not tolerate this insectiside, boycott them by not purchasing, or consuming any meat, fruits, vegetables, grain, or dairy products....that'll show 'em! (Be sure to check the contents of all processed foods for any of these items...they could be sneaking them into your twinkies.)

Provide a bug garden: Plant a garden for the sole purpose of pansy munching, tomato boring, potato eating, rose nibbling, cabbage chomping insects! They will love you for it! Besides what could be more relaxing than watching a plethora of bugs chomping away on your garden?

Don't clean: Remember...where there is filth there are healthy bugs! Put away those cleaners and leave out those dirty dishes. Forget wiping the counters or sweeping the floors. Imagine the time you will save and the wonderful environment you will create by giving up housecleaning chores.

Don't Drive: Or at least if you do take these simple and inexpensive precautions to prevent injury to any of our insect friends. Apply a thick layer of foam rubber to the grill, headlights and windshield of your car. This will prevent bugs from being splattered on your vehicle, however this only works if you drive very slowly to lessen the impact. Make very sure that you take extreme caution because the foam rubber can severely hamper your ability to see crawling insects.

Eat Bats: Bats contribute to the deaths of untold numbers of insects. By hunting them down and eating them we can help the populations of insects who are preyed upon nightly by these horrible creatures. Besides, by boycotting the agricultural industry we have to eat something.

Here is another site with some helpful hints PETI (People for the ethical treatment of Insects) http://www.bandersnatch.com/bug.htm

Speak Out!
The most important thing any of us can do to protect biodiversity is to make it known that we care and that the continued destruction of the natural environment is not acceptable. We are in a critical political time right now, particularly with the 1996 election impending. Environmental and endangered species protections are poised to become important issues in this election. Let the candidates know that we will not support any candidates who do not support protection of the natural world. After all, it supports us too.
• Write letters to your local papers, spread the word.
• Write letters to your congresspeople. Your representatives' names and addresses are now available on the Web. You can even send many of them e-mail.
The United States Senate

The United States House of Representatives
• Send e-mail to the President: president@whitehouse.gov
or the Vice President: vicepresident@whitehouse.gov



Volunteer
If you are interested in preserving insects first-hand, countless opportunities exist for you to get out and get your hands dirty. Most of the following organizations sponsor some research on insects of conservation concern. Please contact them directly.
• The Sierra Club
730 Polk St.
San Francisco, CA 94109
(415)776-2211
• The Xerces Society
10 SW Ash Street
Portland, Oregon 97204
• The Nature Conservancy
785 Market St.
San Francisco, CA 94103
• Defenders of Wildlife
5604 Rosedale Way
Sacramento, CA 94118
• Natural Heritage Division
California Department of Fish and Game
1416 Ninth St.
Sacramento, CA 95814

Let's make it fucking happen!


Attention US Military: This is not a terrorist organization so you can bite me.