The Dunwoody City Council voted recently to approve a resolution and funding to make the city of Dunwoody part of the national Bee City USA program. Initiated by the city’s sustainability committee, the designation helps educate the public about the vital role that bees and other pollinators play in our environment, and how individuals and companies can help to sustain them in a healthy habitat, according to a press release.
“I am very happy that Dunwoody is just the ninth city in Georgia to achieve Bee City status,” said Michael Cowan, executive director of the Dunwoody Nature Center and chair of the city’s sustainability committee. “This has been a priority for the sustainability committee. We plan to hold a community meeting soon to get others in the community involved.”
While pollinators are critical to the reproductive success of more than 75 percent of the world’s flowering plants, fruits, nuts and berries, U.S. honey bee populations are declining at an annual rate of 44 percent and more. Dunwoody joins more than 80 cities now designated across the United States as part of the program.
The Dunwoody sustainability committee will coordinate a bee pollinator celebration in conjunction with the Dunwoody Nature Center’s Butterfly Festival in August. In addition, programs are in the works to educate and encourage businesses, homeowners and schools in the planting of pollinator gardens.
Information: dunwoodyga.gov
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