By Andi Anderson
Michigan State University (MSU) is celebrating National Pollinator Week, held June 16–22, by showing how the campus is becoming a better place for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
As a Bee Campus USA member, MSU is committed to helping pollinators thrive. The Sustainability Office is leading efforts in partnership with the Landscape Services Division, Department of Entomology, student groups, and the Beal Botanical Garden.
These efforts include reducing mowing across campus to save fuel and support plant flowering, planting “Trees For Bees,” and adding pollinator-friendly plants near buildings and open spaces.
This fall, students will see new gardens and flower-rich areas that not only look beautiful but help pollinators find food. Along the Red Cedar River, new plantings are reducing invasive species and helping protect water while also offering nectar to insects.
A new Wing Garden has also been added near the Multicultural Center to help people connect with nature.
MSU’s South Campus Farms is home to the Pollinator Performance Center. Here, researchers study honey bee health, especially how bees survive the cold Michigan winter. The center includes tools for research and a honey room where honey is prepared for MSU’s dining halls and store.
Pollinator education is also part of MSU’s mission. Classes teach students about native bees, their biology, and how to protect their habitats.
Veterinary students learn how to care for bee colonies. Restoration ecology classes use campus gardens to track pollinator and plant changes over time.
By leading these efforts, MSU is not only helping the environment but also teaching students how small actions can support a healthy planet. These steps make MSU a true Bee Campus USA example.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Education