COLUMBIA — The City of Columbia has officially joined the growing list of communities across the nation dedicated to supporting pollinator health by becoming an affiliate of Bee City USA.
Bee City USA, an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, provides a framework for communities to conserve native pollinators through habitat creation, increased use of native plants, reduced reliance on pesticides, and education about biodiversity.
On August 5, Columbia City Council unanimously voted in favor of the designation following a presentation to the Health, Social, and Environmental Affairs Committee.
“City Council’s unanimous vote to become a Bee City USA is evidence we understand the importance of sustaining pollinators, and we want to make Columbia even more pollinator friendly,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “We are grateful to CPAC members for bringing this opportunity to our attention; it is something to bee proud of.”
Native bees and pollinators play a critical role in the reproduction of more than 85 percent of flowering plants and 67 percent of agricultural crops. By joining Bee City USA, Columbia commits to creating native habitats, protecting pollinators, and educating residents about their importance.
“We are thrilled to have Columbia join the Bee City USA community,” said Laura Rost, National Coordinator of Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA. “There are so many creative ways to integrate quality native pollinator habitat into the city’s landscape—from street trees to green roofs—and I am excited to see how Columbia carries out its pollinator conservation efforts.”
Columbia becomes the fifth Bee City in South Carolina and the 240th nationwide.
For more information about Bee City USA, visit www.beecityusa.org.