The renewal recognizes Quinnipiac’s continued efforts to engage its campus community in creating and enhancing habitat for pollinators, including native bees, butterflies and other essential species.

The pollinator garden at Quinnipiac's Albert Schweitzer Institute provides food and shelter to a wide range of local pollinators, promoting a healthy ecosystem. Beyond these organisms, the pollinator garden provides opportunities for research, education and positive well-being in the greater Bobcat community.

“We’re so pleased that Quinnipiac has gained renewal,” said Sarah Lawson, associate professor of biology and director of environmental sciences and studies at Quinnipiac. “The program is a great way to pull our university community together behind something that brings many benefits to the campus.” 

Bethany Zemba, vice president for government and community relations and chief of staff, said, “Our Bee Campus renewal is a wonderful example of how we are bringing one of Quinnipiac’s strategic priorities, Design a Distinctive Experience, to life. Creating healthy, sustainable campus environments not only supports pollinators and the natural world, but also enhances the beautiful, vibrant spaces that promote wellness and bring our community together.”

Lauren Rost, national coordinator of Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA, praised Quinnipiac’s work to involve students, faculty and staff in pollinator conservation.

“This renewal recognizes the hard work of Quinnipiac University to engage the campus community in enhancing pollinator habitat,” Rost said. “I love reading the renewal reports. It is so inspiring to see how people are transforming their communities.”

Bee Campus USA is the sister program to Bee City USA. Together, the programs support a nationwide network of more than 450 communities committed to protecting pollinators through habitat creation and enhancement, reduced pesticide use and public education.

While the initiative primarily focuses on native bees, these conservation efforts also benefit butterflies, moths, bats and hummingbirds by addressing threats such as habitat loss, pesticide use and climate change.

To read Quinnipiac’s annual report and learn more about participating communities, visit Bee City USA’s work page. For more information about Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA, visit beecityusa.org.