NEWS RELEASE

Contact:
Lauren Smetzer, lauren.smetzer@findlay.edu
419-434-5328
Denise Durenberger, denise.durenberger@findlay.edu
419-379-5250

FINDLAY, Ohio – The University of Findlay has earned national recognition again, this time as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program. The University now stands alongside forward-thinking campuses across the country transforming their landscapes into havens for bees, butterflies, and other crucial pollinators.

Findlay’s beekeeping club, The Hive, became a recognized student organization last spring after two honey bee hives were donated by University students, D’alan Seyer and Jillella Weingart. Quickly growing in popularity and interest, The Hive has 70 members, three bee hives, and in December earned its Bee Campus USA national designation.

According to Lauren Sandhu, instructor of teaching in biology and faculty advisor for The Hive, the student organization will establish pollinator habitat areas around campus to benefit not only their honey bees but also native pollinators like monarch butterflies. They will also coordinate public outreach events for both the University and the public. Members will learn about native pollinators and how to support them, how to create a pollinator habitat, the process of honey harvesting, and try out beekeeping for themselves.

“Many of our native pollinators are experiencing a decline in numbers as a result of habitat loss, climate change, pests, disease, and invasive species. It is my hope that students in The Hive will be inspired to protect these species so that they can continue to benefit both the environment, and us, for decades to come,” Sandhu said. “Everyone has the ability to help our pollinators; whether you have just one potted native plant on your patio, or an entire pollinator garden in your yard. If enough people join the effort, we can make a huge difference.”

As a Bee Campus USA Affiliate, the University and The Hive will have access to national pollinator conservation experts, unique educational and training opportunities such as workshops, and the ability to apply for grant funding to facilitate pollinator research and purchase additional beekeeping equipment.

According to Bee Campus USA coordinator Laura Rost, “How each city or campus completes the steps to conserve pollinators is up to them,” said Rost. “Affiliates play to their own strengths, designing pesticide reduction plans, improving habitat, and holding events ranging from garden tours to native plant giveaways to bee trivia nights. Each campus must renew their affiliation each year and report on accomplishments from the previous year. Other institutions of higher education are invited to explore completing the application process outlined at beecityusa.org.”      

Bee City USA’s mission is to galvanize communities and campuses to sustain pollinators by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants, and free of pesticides. Pollinators like bumble bees, sweat bees, mason bees, honey bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, hummingbirds, and many others are responsible for the reproduction of almost ninety percent of the world's flowering plant species and one in every three bites of food we consume.

“The program aspires to make people more PC—pollinator conscious, that is,” said Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon that launched the Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA initiatives. “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.”

All University of Findlay students are welcome to join The Hive. There are no membership fees or costs to join.

Follow the club on Instagram at @thehive_findlay.

About University of Findlay: Established in 1882 through a partnership between the Churches of God, General Conference and the city of Findlay, University of Findlay is known for excellence in its science, health professions, animal science, and equestrian studies programs, but also for cultivating the next generation of business leaders, educators, and innovative thinkers through a dedication to experiential learning in and outside of the classroom. With a mission to equip students for meaningful lives and productive careers, University of Findlay offers more than 85 bachelor's degrees, 10 master's degrees, and five doctorate-level degree programs. The University has an average annual enrollment of 3,500 students, which includes nearly 400 international students. The 403-acre campus includes an Animal Science and Western Equestrian Riding Complex, English Equestrian Riding Farm, All Hazards Training Center, and a 55-acre wetland to offer hands-on learning opportunities for all students. A proud member of the NCAA Division II Great Midwest Athletic Conference (G-MAC), University of Findlay students compete as the Oilers on 22 men’s and women’s teams.