BANGOR, Maine — The City of Bangor could soon become the first "Bee City" in Maine.
It’s a national designation recognizing a city’s commitment to protecting native bee species, awarded through Bee City USA.
Nonprofit Bangor Beautiful and city staff are leading the effort to apply to become a Bee City.
“We brought this prolific bee artist to town, and he actually was one of the people who got Bee City USA started,” Greg Edwards, co-founder of Bangor Beautiful said.
That artist was Matt Willey, who painted Bangor’s "The Good of the Hive" mural last year—one of the inspirations for Bangor Beautiful’s efforts to protect pollinators in the city.
“Forty percent of bee populations are endangered or at risk of going extinct, and so we really need to step up and save those bees or we will really be in a lot of trouble,” Edwards said.
Bee Cities must educate the public on conservation, increase native plants, and reduce the use of pesticides.
Bangor Beautiful has been working on these goals and hopes the Bee City designation will help them protect even more pollinators with help from the city and policy makers.
“Anything we can do to help with that, whether it's just planting a small pollinator garden, or what have you, I think it's our responsibility to do what we can,” Anja Collette, Bangor's planning officer said.
Collette said the Bee City designation could help create a healthier environment in Bangor.
“When the city is recognized for doing these kinds of things it really does help with tourism,” she said.
While there are no Bee Cities in Maine, there are "Bee Campuses," including the University of Maine in Orono.
Kat Gross is the president of the Black Bear Beekeepers, who run about seven hives at UMaine. She said protecting bees is especially important for Maine’s crops like blueberries.
“Pollinators are responsible for about one-third of the food that we consume,” Gross explained.
Gross said on her Bee Campus, it's all about gathering lovers of bees.
“The most important part is not the label. It's just building community and making sure people are aware and building that awareness,” Gross said.
Bangor Beautiful said the city council is expected to issue a proclamation enabling Bangor to apply to become a Bee City on June 24.
They’re expecting approval shortly thereafter.