We the public, believe in protecting our health and surrounding natural resources by reducing pesticide use on public and private property in the town of Orleans, Massachusetts. Your signature of support sends a strong message to our local, regional and state legislatures.

Our primary goal is to protect all water bodies, the health of people and the environment by reducing the use of outdoor pesticides. People have a right not to be involuntarily exposed to pesticides in the air, water or soil that inevitably result from chemical drift and contaminated runoff.

In October 2023, citizens in the town of Orleans voted for a Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition that is now Bill #H995. In May 2024, citizens in both Eastham, as well as, Wellfleet, Massachusetts voted in favor for the same language. Wellfleet is now Bill #H.4191. Then in May of 2025, Truro town citizens voted almost unanimously for this pesticide reduction in their town as well. This proves four towns on Cape Cod want to help reduce pesticides being used outdoors, because unfortunately, once man-made synthetic chemicals are applied on land, they travel to neighbors land and into natural resources we rely on.

Toxic chemicals from pesticides seep into the soil and groundwater, also become airborne, and can be found thousands of feet from the application site.  They contaminate the air we breathe, the waters we recreate in, the aquifer from which we drink, and the soils in which we grow food for humans, animals and wildlife. They are also harmful to the beneficial insects needed for our human survival. 

Many studies associate pesticides with serious negative health effects including leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma: cancers of the brain, breast, prostrate, testes and ovaries: heart disease, stroke, diabetes, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, ADHD, autism and other autoimmune diseases, as well as birth defects and reproductive harm.

Lets embrace a precautionary approach to the use of toxic pesticides in order to adequately protect people and the environment from the harmful effects of pesticides. A proactive non-toxic management approach is the best way to prevail in the long run. We all can help by volunteering to not use any man-made synthetic chemicals on our own land - why wait for laws to be made, we already know they are bad for us and our environment.

It’s our health, our water is our most important economic asset - it is up to us to protect it. 

§6. Exceptions: Indoor pest sprays and baits. Insect repellants for personal and household use. Flea and tick sprays, powders, and pet collars. Kitchen, laundry and bath disinfectants and sanitizers. Products that kill mold and mildew. Usage for commercial farming and nurseries.

For more information:

Pesticide Reduction Home Rule Petition, Orleans MA

Thank you very much for your support!  You matter in helping this mission! Please share this petition.

Here's to your health,

Laura Kelley, a Cape Cod native for eleven generations - which motivates me to protect plants, resources and insects for the next eleven generations and beyond. 

Please watch the below 3 minute video of me explaining more and thank you for sharing this important message to your loved ones.

Power in numbers will be what prevails!

https://player.vimeo.com/video/853809865?badge=0&autopause=0&player_id=0&app_id=58479

Thank you for caring to do something about this today!