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Faculty in Kent State’s Environmental Science and Design Research Institute (ESDRI) are proud to announce that Kent State has been certified as a Bee Campus USA by Bee City USA as of November 2024. 

Bee Campus USA and Bee City USA are initiatives by The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The Bee Campus USA designation recognizes Kent State’s efforts in conserving native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides. 

Providing a Healthy Home for At-Risk Pollinators

Up to 40% of native pollinator species are at risk of extinction as a result of habitat loss, the use of harmful pesticides and climate change. While bees are the most important pollinators, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, wasps, bats and hummingbirds also contribute to pollination. 

There are more than 20,000 species of bees around the world, with about 3,600 of them being native to the United States. 

Pollinators are what’s called a “keystone species” in every ecosystem on earth. They enable the reproduction of more than 85% of flowering plants and 67% of agricultural crops.

Benefits in Environmental Sustainability and Learning Opportunities

Leah Graham, sustainability coordinator in Kent State’s Office of Sustainability said “Our office is thrilled that the university has been recognized as a Bee Campus USA for our continued commitment to the sustainability of our campus habitat and wildlife as well as students, faculty and staff.”

“I’m very excited about this designation from the Xerces Society,” said Katie Manning, Ph.D., postdoctoral research development specialist for Kent State’s Environmental Science and Design Research Institute. “It is a great way to showcase and increase the quality and quantity of pollinator habitat that we have on campus. It also presents an outstanding opportunity to offer educational and community events about pollinators.”

Christie Bahlai, Ph.D., associate professor in the university’s Department of Biological Sciences and co-director of Kent State’s Environmental Science and Design Research Institute agrees with Manning. “Protecting bees is important for the environment, but it’s also a great way for students to learn about how we can make our landscapes healthier and more functional.”

“Bees are also just really neat,” she said.