Arboretum works on pollinator hospitality
The nation holds only seven Bee Campus USA gardens, and now the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville is one of them.
“Imperiled pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of more than three-quarters of the world’s plant and tree species,” said Phyllis Stiles, director of Bee Campus USA. “The Arboretum is a stellar example of the influence educational institutions can have on their visitors, students and larger communities.”
The Bee Campus USA program recognizes campuses that commit to practices supporting pollinators, with the companion program Bee City USA urging local governments and other organizations to establish pollinator-friendly, pesticide-free landscapes.
As part of its Bee Campus USA certification, the Arboretum will focus its 2016 seasonal exhibits on plants and nesting sites for pollinator species. In addition, the newly renovated Quilt Garden is designed using a butterfly pattern, which calls attention to butterflies’ life cycle and biology.
The Arboretum also works with volunteers and outside organizations to create pollinator gardens in the community. A habitat plan has been developed that includes a list of native, pollinator-friendly plants and a low-toxicity integrated pest management plan. The list and plan will be published online.
