Bellarmine University has been designated a Bee Campus USA due to its commitment to cultivating and maintaining campus biodiversity. The school was also a Tree Campus USA for nine years.
Bee Campus USA is an interesting designation, one that exists thanks to the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. This year, due to its efforts in biodiversity, Bellarmine University has earned the title of a Bee Campus USA.
According to an article on Bellarmine University's website, each affiliate organization of the Xerces Society can choose its own plan and steps when aiming to earn the title. The goal is that each campus will work with its own strengths, as noted by Laura Rost, who serves as the Bee Campus USA coordinator.
Scott Hoffman Black, Xerces’ executive director, said, “The program aspires to make people more PC—pollinator conscious, that is. If lots of individuals and communities begin planting native, pesticide-free flowering trees, shrubs and perennials, it will help to sustain many, many species of pollinators.”
The avenue that Bellarmine University chose to take is playing into the strengths of its Beekeeping Club. Founded in 2021, the Bellarmine Beekeeping Club installed honeybee hives in Bellarmine Farm in 2022. The farm houses fruit trees, and the bees have been doing well keeping everything pollinated. However, honeybees are not actually a native species, so this year, the Beekeeping Club has devoted its time to creating native bee homes to install on the farm, as well.
According to Dr. Kate Bulinski, who is an associate professor of Geoscience in the Department of Environmental Studies, and the Bellarmine Beekeeping Club advisor, “When people say, ‘Save the bees,’ they usually mean honeybees. Keeping honeybees is good for pollination, but promoting native bee and insect populations is better for biodiversity. We do both.”
In addition to adding the new hives and homes, the school has been undertaking other projects to increase the biodiversity on campus, including removing invasive species and reducing the spraying of pesticides.
The student beekeepers are enjoying helping the school and surrounding area become more biodiverse and pollinator conscious, but they’re also enjoying reaping the more immediate benefits: Averi Smith, vice president of the Bellarmine Beekeeping Club, said, “We completed our first honey harvest just before the start of the semester, and I have to say it is the best honey I have had. I do have a biased opinion, but it has floral notes that are unlike any other honey I have tasted.”
Smith went on to talk about the true value of what her club does, saying, “I think it is important for Bellarmine to engage in beekeeping and the farm because we only have one Earth and need to do everything we can to keep it healthy for future generations. Every small action someone does that can help the Earth and our environment is important. Not only is the club beneficial for the Earth, but also for the students participating in it. It is a great place to meet friendly people and learn new skills.”
While Bee Campus USA is a new title for Bellarmine University this year, it is no stranger to earning recognition for the campus’ environment. For nine straight years, Bellarmine was a Tree Campus USA as designated by the Arbor Day Foundation.
For more information about Bellarmine University, visit the school’s website.