Framingham State University has become an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program, designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators. FSU joins many other cities and campuses across the country united in improving their landscapes for pollinators.

“Framingham State has made environmental stewardship a top priority for many years,” says FSU President Dr. Nancy Niemi. “This latest initiative with Bee Campus USA commits us to taking steps to protect bees and other pollinators crucial to our ecosystem. As part of this effort, the University has committed to minimizing hazards to pollinators by using nearly no neonicotinoids or other potentially dangerous pesticides.”

Currently FSU hosts two designated pollinator habitats – one behind O’Connor Hall next to the McAuliffe Center and one in the campus community garden next to the McCarthy Center, according to Dr. Megan Mayer, a Professor of Nutrition and Health Studies and the University’s Sustainability Coordinator. 

“These pollinator habitats are maintained using a hands-off approach that might look messy to some; however, these “wild” or natural looking spaces provide food sources and living quarters for native pollinators, which is especially important during the wintertime,” Dr. Mayer says.

FSU’s Bee Campus Advisory Committee – which is co-chaired by Mayer and Dr. Aviva Liebert from the Biology Department – is collaborating with the Facilities Department to identify spots on campus to plant a few additional pollinator gardens.

To raise awareness about the plight of pollinators, the committee plans to publish a webpage to disseminate information to the campus and external communities including Framingham State’s Integrated Pest Management Plan, a list of native plants incorporated into the campus landscape including their bloom time and habitat needs, links to student and faculty research into pollinator issues, and information about upcoming events.

If you are interested in joining the University’s Bee Campus Advisory Committee you can e-mail Dr. Mayer mmayer1 [at] framingham.edu.

For more information about Bee Campus USA, visit https://www.beecityusa.org/