June is Pollinator Month at Pitt
Every June, the University of Pittsburgh celebrates the pollinators that keep our ecosystems, food systems, and communities thriving. As a certified Bee Campus USA, Pitt is committed to protecting native pollinators and creating spaces where they can thrive, right here in Oakland. This year we have a full lineup of events to help you learn, create, and connect with the natural world. See what's happening below.
Did You Know?
- Pollinators are responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we eat and add an estimated $233 billion to the global economy each year
- There are 300 bee species found in Pennsylvania alone, and about 90% of them are solitary bees that don't live in hives or produce honey
- Bees can detect the electric field of a flower, helping them identify which blooms have already been visited by another pollinator
- Hummingbirds are "trapliners," meaning they follow the same pollination routes every day, much like a mail carrier on a regular route
- Pitt has been a certified Bee Campus USA since 2020, a designation renewed annually in recognition of our commitment to native pollinator conservation
- Pitt is home to multiple designated pollinator gardens across campus, consisting primarily of native plant species that support native pollinators year-round
- In 2019, Pitt students built and installed bee houses on campus with guidance from Biology professor Dr. Tia-Lynn Ashman. The majority of native bees are ground nesters, but about 30% are cavity nesters, like the ones that use bee houses
- Pitt's Facilities Management follows Sustainable Landscape Design Guidelines that require at least 75% of landscaped areas to align with Northeast Organic Farming Association Standards, helping keep our campus healthy for plants and pollinators alike
Learn More About Pollinators at Pitt
A New Garden on Campus: The Laura Lovett Pollinator Garden
This spring, Pitt planted a new pollinator garden honoring Laura Lovett, a beloved Professor of History and Director of the Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies Program at the University of Pittsburgh, who passed away in 2025. The garden, located near Clapp Hall, was designed in collaboration with the Pitt Pollinator Habitat Advisory Committee and incorporates some of Laura's favorite flowers, including bee balm and blazing star. It will serve as both a thriving habitat for native pollinators and a living laboratory for student research and education. We are so grateful to the donors, volunteers, and Pitt community members who helped bring this garden to life. See all the photos on Flickr.
2026 Pollinator Month Events
Tree Tender Training | Wednesday, June 3 @ 9 am – 2:30 pm | William Pitt Union, 548
Pitt Sustainability invites you to learn more about trees and how to care for them in Oakland and your home neighborhood! Join us and Tree Pittsburgh for a Tree Tenders certification course.
Native Pollinator Plant Giveaway | Wednesday, June 3 @ 12 – 1 pm | Rec and Wellness Center, front outdoor area on O'Hara
Celebrate Pollinator Month with a free native plant giveaway. Pick one up to support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and get expert tips on creating a pollinator-friendly garden at home.
Sustainable Landscapes FSDP Course | Thursday, June 4 @ 10 am – 12 pm | 342 Craig Hall
In this class, you will explore how Pitt cares for its campus through sustainable practices, including efforts to protect native pollinators, increase tree canopy, and reduce stormwater runoff, while discovering how nature supports our physical and mental wellbeing and learning how to help keep our waterways healthy.
Pollinators in the Light Tour | Tuesday, June 9 @ 12 – 1 pm | Heinz Chapel
Celebrate National Pollinator Month with a special June tour hosted by Heinz Chapel and Pitt Sustainability, exploring how pollinators inspire both nature and art, from the English garden to the Chapel's iconic stained glass windows and pipe organ.
Pollinator Landings: Creating Habitat Under Native Trees | Friday, June 12 @ 12 – 1 pm | Virtual
Ever wonder how you can plant native trees and create pollinator habitat at the same time? Join our resident expert in creating soft landings, Greg Null, Co-Chair of the Pollinator Habitat Advisory Committee. In this virtual lunch & learn participants will learn how to use native plants to create pollinator oasis while expanding our urban forest.
The Pollinator Patch | Tuesday, June 16 @ 12 – 1:30 pm | Hillman Library, Open Lab
Join us for a lunchtime Pollinator Month event! Bring your creativity and design a quilt square for the Pitt Climate Change Quilt. Using repurposed lab coats and scrubs, create a colorful quilt square celebrating pollinators and our shared commitment to a thriving planet.
Pollinators in the Light Tour | Wednesday, June 17 @ 12 – 1 pm | Heinz Chapel
Celebrate National Pollinator Month with a special June tour hosted by Heinz Chapel and Pitt Sustainability, exploring how pollinators inspire both nature and art, from the English garden to the Chapel's iconic stained glass windows and pipe organ.
Habitat by Hand: Building for Bees and Butterflies | Tuesday, June 23 @ 4 – 5:30 pm | Center for Creativity, Cathedral of Learning Basement, B50
Pollinators are responsible for one in every three bites of food we eat. Celebrate these environmental powerhouses with the Center for Creativity and Pitt Sustainability by making your own butterfly puddler and bee hotel from recycled materials. No crafting experience needed, all materials provided. Facilitated by Erik Schuckers, Center for Creativity.
Pollinators in the Light Tour | Tuesday, June 30 @ 12 – 1 pm | Heinz Chapel
Celebrate National Pollinator Month with a special June tour hosted by Heinz Chapel and Pitt Sustainability, exploring how pollinators inspire both nature and art, from the English garden to the Chapel's iconic stained glass windows and pipe organ.