Why Lexington should become a Bee City, USA affiliate | Opinion

Lexington has an opportunity to strengthen its commitment to pollinator habitat by becoming a Bee City, USA affiliate.

Pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds provide the “seed set” that makes our specialty crops both abundant and affordable. When pollinators are in crisis, as they have been recently, those crops become more expensive and less available.

Lexington is fortunate to have a public utility in the commonwealth that has been establishing pollinator habitat for a decade along the rights-of-way it manages, collaborating with partners including the University of Kentucky, Kentucky State University, Schneider Electric, Lexington Parks and Recreation, and Blue Grass Airport.

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, another key collaborator, received an international award in 2024 from North American Pollinator Protection Campaign for its efforts to convert rights of way into pollinator habitat. Shrinking budgets present ongoing challenges, however. There is not an annual dedicated funding source for the KTC Pollinator Initiative, for instance, but staff are consistently looking for available funding and collaboration. Those interested in collaboration are encouraged to contact Biologist Specialist 2 Cassondra Cruikshank at cassondra.cruikshank@ky.gov.

Kentucky State University is one partner in a much larger collaboration that is spearheading a new initiative called BeeLines — networks of smaller pollinator plots designed to connect certified Bee Cities and Bee Campuses. Clear gaps in coverage exist between corporations and municipalities such as Midway and Versailles. These gaps provide opportunities to establish long-term habitat as well as an affiliate with Bee City or Bee Campus. Those interested in joining a statewide pollinator partnership program can reach out to tamara.potter@kysu.edu or kristin.conrad@kysu.edu.

This is an ideal time for Lexington to play a meaningful role in the BeeLine initiative by becoming a Bee City affiliate. Here is information about this process: beecityusa.org. As home to the state’s flagship university, Lexington is uniquely positioned to shape this growing “quilt.” A coordinated, multi-city effort can bind the Commonwealth together in a unified approach to improving ecosystem health and beauty.

Tamara Potter and Kristin Conrad are co-chairs of Bee Campus at Kentucky State University.