Bee Campus USA Certification for Pitt
As of June 2020, the University of Pittsburgh is a certified Bee Campus USA!
Pitt Sustainability is excited to announce that we have received Bee Campus USA designation through the nonprofit Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation! In response to global declines in pollinator populations, Xerces’ Bee Campus USA helps bring awareness to the importance of pollinators when it comes to the health of ecosystems and encourage communities to protect their habitats.
In part, Bee Campus affiliates commit to supporting pollinators by establishing native-plant habitats, providing nesting sites, reducing the use of pesticides, and providing pollinator educational opportunities through service, campus signage, and online content.
Pitt is among the first five affiliates in Pennsylvania to receive a Bee Campus USA designation.
Read the full Pittwire story on Pitt’s Bee Campus USA designation
Specifically, Pitt has a number of active efforts, including the below:
- Our efforts to create pollinator-friendly habitats on campus are led by the Pollinator Habitat Advisory Committee.
- Our Campus Pollinator Habitat Plan sets strict guidelines for plant selection and landscaping techniques with pollinator-friendly habitats in mind. This includes using native plant species and pesticide-free materials, along with providing pollinators with food sources, water, and specific materials for nesting.
- Pitt’s Sustainable Landscape Design Guidelines outline how the university maintains our campus’s landscape while upholding our commitment to stewardship.
Learn more about all of Pitt’s efforts to support pollinators!