Bee City USA celebrates four new towns as Bee Cities

From a press release:

Bee City USA celebrates four new towns as Bee Cities

2014 was a year to celebrate! After launching Bee City USA® in Asheville in 2012, we invited other cities to join the movement to provide more and healthier habitat for imperiled pollinators. More than 50 grassroots organizers have contacted Bee City USA and, as of today, four other towns have voted unanimously in 2014 to adopt the Bee City USA standards available at http://www.beecityusa.org/become-a-bee-city.html    

Carrboro, North Carolina: Marty Hanks, owner of Just Bee Apiary, got Carrboro buzzing for bees along with the the town’s environmental planner, Randy Dodd. While Carrboro was officially designated a Bee City USA in October, the town has been a leader in implementing least toxic integrated pesticide management practices and policies since the 1990s. Carrboro is encouraging citizens to plant natives and adopt pollinator patches. The Environmental Advisory Board will be responsible for Bee City USA matters.

Matthews, North Carolina: After learning about Bee City USA through the local Mecklenburg County Beekeepers Association newsletter, Martha Krauss, a beekeeper and former town commissioner, and Carol Buie-Jackson, founder of the local HAWK (Habitat & Wildlife Keepers) group, approached the town board about pursuing Bee City USA designation. Also a beekeeper, town manager Hazen Blodgett agreed that the values Matthews holds as a Tree City USA and a National Wildlife Federation Certified Wildlife Habitat had prepared Matthews well to take a stand for the bees. Following a unanimous vote in December, the town’s Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Resources Advisory Board is now responsible for Bee City USA matters.

Talent, Oregon: Dolly Warden tirelessly rallied her neighbors and elected officials on behalf of the bees, and in August the town became the second in the nation to be be designated a Bee City USA. (Dolly is wearing the blue denim shirt.) Talent envisions a pollinator corridor connecting Talent to Ashland. They will use events like the fall Harvest Festival as educational opportunities. The Together for Talent Committee will be responsible for Bee City USA matters. Nearby Ashland collaborates with Talent on pollinator education and action through the Pollinator Project Rogue Valley.

Ashland, Oregon: Home to the Oregon Honey Festival and the College of the Melissae: Center for Sacred Beekeeping (as well as the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and Rogue Ales Brewery), Ashland is already enthusiastic about honeybees and other pollinators. Kristina LeFever inspired the town council to hold study sessions about Bee City USA in the fall, leading to a unanimous vote In December to adopt the resolution. The Valley is a well-known agricultural region. Once we receive their completed application, Ashland will be officially designated a Bee City USA.

Want To Get Involved?
Bee City USA founder and director, Phyllis Stiles, welcomes your suggestions for and questions about making the world safer for pollinators at 828-545-4282.

While our organization is completely run by volunteers, there are substantial costs to operating Bee City USA. If you would like to do a little pollinating of your own, please consider a tax-deductible contribution to:
Bee City USA
34 Courtland Avenue
Asheville, NC  28801