Kentucky State University has been recognized as a Bee Campus USA, joining a national network of colleges and universities dedicated to supporting pollinators. The university is expanding native pollinator habitats, refining land-management practices, and advancing research to promote the long-term health of these species.
“Pollinators are foundational to global food systems and ecosystem health,” said Kentucky State University President Dr. Koffi C. Akakpo. “As Kentucky’s land-grant university, we are proud to align our teaching, research, and campus operations with practices that protect environmental health and model stewardship for our students and community.”
The Bee Campus USA designation reflects years of work by faculty, staff, students, and community partners at Kentucky State. Efforts include increasing native plantings on campus and enhancing habitats in research areas. Conservation principles have also become part of coursework and hands-on learning experiences.
A partnership with Columbia Gas of Kentucky allows the installation of pollinator habitat within utility rights-of-way on campus. This collaboration shows how infrastructure corridors can support habitats while maintaining safety standards. University leaders aim to expand this approach in coordination with the City of Frankfort—which is seeking Bee City affiliation—and other campuses in the region.
“Pollinator conservation starts with awareness, but it has to translate into habitat and management decisions,” said Kristin Conrad, research and extension associate and pollinator ecologist who co-chairs the university’s Bee Campus USA committee. “Bee Campus USA gives us a structured way to expand native plantings, strengthen our integrated pest management approach, and engage students and community members in hands-on conservation work that makes a measurable difference.”
Kentucky State has adopted an Integrated Pest Management strategy that reduces the use of neonicotinoids and other pesticides harmful to pollinators. As part of its designation requirements, the university will launch a webpage detailing its pollinator-friendly policies, information about native plants used on campus including bloom times and habitat needs, ongoing research projects by faculty and students, as well as educational programs.
Dr. Marcus Bernard, Dean and Director of the College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources as well as the Land Grant Program at Kentucky State University stated: “Bee Campus USA is a natural extension of what we do every day — connecting science to service. This affiliation strengthens our ability to expand pollinator habitat, support faculty and student research, and share practical evidence-based practices that benefit Kentucky communities and producers.”
The Bee Campus USA committee at Kentucky State includes representatives from various departments such as research associates in agriculture and forestry; faculty specializing in integrated pest management; staff from Columbia Gas; managers from facilities planning; among others.
Bee City USA and Bee Campus USA are initiatives led by the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation aimed at encouraging communities to sustain pollinators through healthy habitats managed with conscious practices.
“The program aspires to make people more PC — pollinator conscious,” said Scott Hoffman Black, executive director of the Xerces Society. “If individuals and communities begin planting native pesticide-free flowering trees shrubs and perennials it will help sustain many species of pollinators.”
Laura Rost from Bee Campus USA explained that each affiliate designs plans based on their own priorities—ranging from habitat improvement efforts to education programs—and must renew their affiliation annually while reporting progress.
For more information about Kentucky State University’s Bee Campus USA program contact Kristin Conrad at kristin.conrad1@kysu.edu or 502-514-1085.
