Lookout Mountain, Ga. voted to become a Bee City USA site. Shown from left to right are Mayor David Bennett, Ann Brown, Candace Chazen and City Commissioner, Taylor Watson.
Lookout Mountain, Tn., and Lookout Mountain, Ga., are joining in the effort to attract bees.
Ann Brown, a leader in the effort on the mountain, said a Bee City USA committee of Lookout residents is being formed under Parks and Recreation Commissioner, Brooke Pippenger of Lookout Mountain, Tn., and Police Commission Taylor Watson of Lookout Mountain, Ga. Anyone who is interested in being involved in Bee City USA activities should contact Ann Brown at princeoberon@gmail.com or Candace Chazen at candacechazen@epbfi.com.
Ms. Brown said, "The Bee City USA committee will be responsible for creating dialogue and hands-on educational programs and projects to raise awareness of the vital ecosystem service pollinators provide to our mountain environment.To reverse pollinator declines, the committee will encourage residents to extend pollinator-friendly habitat to their yards and public places by adding native trees, shrubs, and perennials that flower from spring through fall. Lookout Mountain is a bird sanctuary and creating gardens for pollinators will enhance our refuge for birds and other wildlife. Using fewer pesticides or no pesticides will create a healthier environment for our all our residents, humans, pets, and wildlife That makes everyone a winner!!
"Pollination Conservation is already a part of the mountain because this fall, Church of the Good Shepherd, Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club and the Garden Club of Lookout Mountain all planted “Pollinator Gardens and Monarch Waystations” with pesticide-free native plants and milkweed for the Monarchs.
"We are now planning a “Bee City USA Pollinator Rally” for Sunday, May 20 from 1-4 at the Commons. The festival is free and open to all residents. This festival will introduce the Bee City USA model to the community by offering native gardening workshops, organic solutions for gardens and yards, children’s gardening activities, a Tennessee Valley Bee Keepers exhibit, tours of pollinator gardens, as well as pesticide-free native plants for sale from Reflection Riding. Reflection Riding will also have a "live wildlife exhibit" for residents to enjoy.
"Both Fairyland Elementary and Lookout Mountain School will be involved in activities to enhance the students’ knowledge of pollination and pollinators. The Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club will provide the schools with videos, classroom materials, books and native wildflower seeds. A “Why be a friend to Pollinators” poster contest will be sponsored in the schools with the winners being announced at the Pollinator Festival in May. Cash prizes will be awarded.
"The Tennessee Aquarium, Tennessee Valley Chapter of the Wild Ones and Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center will participate in the festival. Free native plants seedlings will be given away."
Bee City USA is a nonprofit national organization that galvanizes communities to sustain pollinators--responsible for 1 in 3 bites we eat and the reproduction of 90% of the world's wild plant species--by providing pollinators with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides.
Ms. Brown said, "In 2006 when honey bee colonies started disappearing, later dubbed “Colony Collapse Disorder,” beekeepers and non-beekeepers alike became very concerned. After all, one in every three bites of food we eat is courtesy of insect pollination. Equally important, 85% of flowering plants and trees rely on pollinators for the survival of their species. While less is known about native bees and other pollinators, we do know that entire species are disappearing at alarming rates as they battle most of the same enemies as honey bees--loss of habitat essential for food and shelter, inappropriate pesticide use, diseases, and parasites."
A Native Bee House built by the members of the Lookout Mountain Beautiful Garden Club is presented to the city of Lookout Mountain, Tn. Shown from left to right are Ann Brown, Brooke Pippenger, Parks and Recreation commissioner, Ruth White, principal of LMS, Candace Chazen, Don Stinnett, education commissioner and Mayor Carol Mutter.