Passionate About Pollinators? Apply by March 31 for Arlington's Bee City USA Committee
By Melissa Walker, Environmental Education Specialist
Posted on March 12, 2020, March 12, 2020

If you would like more information or would like to BEE a member of the Bee City committee visit www.arlingtontx.gov/beecityusa to complete an application. All applications must be received before 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

Did you know that there are approximately 700 native bee species in Texas! Eighty percent of native plants in Texas rely on these and other pollinators to survive.

In the U.S. $18 billion to $27 billion dollars worth of food production relies on the direct contribution of pollinators. In fact, one out of every three bites of food we eat is courtesy of a pollinator. Pollinators need food and nesting places in order to thrive. We can help by conserving and restoring habitat that is pesticide free and contains an abundance of native flowering plants. Educational outreach about native bees and other pollinators such as bats, hummingbirds, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies and beetles is the first step to improving pollinator habitat in the City of Arlington.

In 2019, the City of Arlington became a Bee City USA affiliate. Bee City USA is an initiative of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. It is an international nonprofit organization that protects the natural world through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats. The program focuses on pollinator conservation, endangered species conservation and reducing pesticide use. Bee City USA focuses on bringing local governments and their communities together in order to sustain native pollinators.

In order to fulfill our commitment, the City is asking residents to volunteer for Arlington’s Bee City USA committee. The committee will meet on a quarterly basis beginning this May. The committee will be responsible for creating annual goals to meet annual reporting guidelines and will focus on developing meaningful relationships with local and regional stakeholders and experts.

The committee will focus on creating and expanding habitat for bees and other pollinators, providing educational resources and hosting an educational event or habitat restoration day each year. The City is looking for residents that have a variety of skills and talent such as photography, art, writing, event management, public relations, teaching, and social media talent. If you would like more information or would like to BEE a member of the Bee City committee visit www.arlingtontx.gov/beecityusa to complete an application. All applications must be received before 5 p.m., Tuesday, March 31, 2020.

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