March 2024

Affiliate Spotlight: Mountain Brook, AL’s Remarkable First Year

It's hard to believe Mountain Brook, Alabama just wrapped up their first year as a Bee City USA affiliate--they have accomplished so much already! They hosted a native plant giveaway, unveiled their first Native Plant Pollinator Garden, and gave away plenty of “free-bees”! Read more

Annual Renewal Reports Were Due Feb 29...Do You Need an Extension?

Bee City or Bee Campus committee members: annual reports and renewal payments were due Feb 29. Do you need an extension? Please email beecityusa@xerces.org.

Not sure where to start? We put together a handy guide to walk you through the renewal process.

If your city or campus was first certified in 2022 or earlier: Your renewal report and annual fee were due February, 29 2024. If you are one of our first 60 affiliates, you are an early adopter and do not need to pay the renewal fee.

If your city or campus was first certified in 2023: No need to report his year -- your first renewal report and annual fee are due in February 28, 2025.

Welcome Carly Hirschmann

We have great news: our coworker Carly Hirschmann has shifted roles to become our Community Engagement Assistant, dividing her time between working with the Xerces Society’s Ambassador volunteer program and Bee City USA! We’re so happy to have her more involved with the Bee City and Campus community. You may already recognize Carly from Xerces Society and Bee City webinars. We asked Carly a few questions, so you can get to know the newest addition to our team. Read more

Welcome, New Bee City and Bee Campus Affiliates!

• Bethel Township, PA
• Johnson & Wales University, RI ?Ÿ?‰Our first Rhode Island affiliate -- our 47th state!?Ÿ?‰
• Los Alamos County, NM
• Ulysses, NY
• University of New Hampshire, NH

Back by Popular Demand: Host a Free Showing of "My Garden of a Thousand Bees"

A few years ago, our Bee Cities and Bee Campuses were given the opportunity to host free showings of the beautiful documentary, My Garden of a Thousand Bees. Many of our affiliates really enjoyed it, so we've brought it back just in time to support your spring outreach! Here's our how-to guide.

New Publication: Rethinking Weed Management at Home

We talk a lot about how institutions can reduce pesticide use, but a big part of Bee City USA is community outreach. In that spirit, we'd like to share a great new Xerces Society factsheet on reducing pesticides at home, which can help you with talking points for the general public. It's printable and free to share!

Check out Protecting Pollinators From Herbicides: Rethinking Weed Management at Home.

Upcoming Events

February 29

Bee City and Bee Campus annual renewal reports and fees were due - for an extension, please email beecityusa@xerces.org

March 1 - 31

No Mow March

March 16

Proposal window closes: Detroit Pollinator Habitat Kits

March 16 @ 10 am-12 pm ET

In-person: Sustainable Norcross GA Workshop #2: What To Plant?

March 28 @ 10 am - 12 pm PT

In the Life of the Bumble Bee Queen (And The Cuckoo Too!)

April 1 - 30

No Mow April

April 3 @ 11 am - 12 pm PT

Bee City & Bee Campus USA Virtual Affiliate Meetup: California, Nevada & Utah

April 5

Proposal window closes: California Monarch and Pollinator Kits

April 10 @ 12 pm - 1 pm ET

Hampton, VA: Bats!

In case you missed it: Watch our Feb 2024 webinar, Plants You Can Brag About: Working with nurseries to assure pollinator-safe plants