GNV receives Bee City USA designation 

Bees
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Bee City USA designated the city of Gainesville as an official Bee City USA® recently.  

Gainesville is one of many cities and campuses throughout the country united to improve landscapes for pollinators. The bee population remains threatened by disease, habitat loss and climate change.  

The Gainesville Bee City Committee will gather at 10 a.m. on Monday, Feb. 6, at the downtown Alachua County Library District headquarters library (401 E. University Ave.).  

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“The city’s parks, greenspaces, and community gardens teem with native wildflowers, and flowering plants, trees, and shrubs that create vibrant ecosystems for bees and other pollinators,” said Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward in a press release. “We welcome this designation and remain dedicated to enhancing and expanding this natural environment.”  

The city authorized the Florida Wildflower Foundation to convene the committee to begin its work raising awareness about the importance of pollinators. The committee will discuss policy changes around pest management practices and recommended programs to create a friendly pollinator environment.  

“We look forward to seeing how each city celebrates a Bee City USA affiliate and the various ways they choose to conserve pollinators,” said Bee City USA Coordinator Laura Rost in a press release. 

The Gainesville City Commission unanimously voted to become a Bee City USA last summer.  

“The city is most appreciative for the passion of neighbors, like Janice Garry, as well as the support of staff at the Florida Wildflower Foundation and Executive Director Stacey Matrazzo, who’s helping lead the initiative,” said Karissa Raskin, manager of systems change and special projects at the city, in a press release. 

The Bee City USA Gainesville initiative is funded through the Alan and Linde ARKAT Foundation.  

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TeachYourChildren

The Mayor (major mistake) should be embarrassed to take any credit for this “fun” yet meaningless award! He is looking for anything he can claim credit for!