In a noteworthy development for environmental conservation, Dalhousie University has been officially designated as Canada’s 20th Bee Campus, recognizing the institution’s commitment to safeguarding pollinators and fostering sustainable habitats.
The designation by Bee City Canada, a prominent Canadian non-profit dedicated to championing pollinator protection, follows a comprehensive assessment of Dalhousie’s initiatives aimed at supporting the well-being and survival of vital pollinators like bees. This recognition necessitates demonstrating a steadfast dedication to creating conducive habitats, educational endeavors, and annual celebrations during pollinator week.
Jordan Phelps, coordinator at Bee City Canada, praised Dalhousie’s ongoing efforts in habitat creation and acknowledged their significance in sustaining pollinator success and survival. Highlighting the university’s diverse array of gardens across its campuses, Phelps commended initiatives like the Indigenous pollinator garden, Hügelkultur garden bed, and the pollinator wall on Studley Campus in Halifax, among others.
Emily McLean, a student pollinator researcher and garden coordinator at Dalhousie, emphasized the university’s national recognition as a testament to its commitment to environmental sustainability and pollinator welfare.
Dalhousie’s support to Bee City Canada through an annual fee aligns the university with a network of institutions dedicated to fostering pollinator-friendly environments and environmental sustainability.
The university’s dedicated pollinator team, comprising staff, faculty, and students, received accolades from Bee City Canada for its size and diverse roles in driving campus initiatives. The team’s efforts encompass various facets, including biodiversity studies, pollinator education, and creating attractive habitats for fostering biodiversity.
Specifically noted were Dalhousie’s plans for nesting areas for bees, emphasizing strategies to minimize pests and offering educational opportunities for students to observe solitary bee behavior. Phelps lauded the university’s intention to use transparent materials for student observation and plans for pollinator habitat signage equipped with QR codes for comprehensive educational information.
Additional initiatives contributing to Dal’s designation included educational programs on solitary bee life, plans for Biodiversity Day celebrations with pollinator-specific events, and faculty engagement.
As an official Bee Campus, Dalhousie will actively participate in Bee Campus meetings, fostering collaboration opportunities among campuses and reinforcing its commitment to environmental sustainability.
This designation reaffirms Dalhousie’s dedication to ecological advocacy, uniting research, artistic expression, and environmental consciousness to create a diverse and inclusive campus culture aligned with sustainable practices.
