Bee City USA: A Comprehensive Guide to Protecting and Enhancing Pollinators in South Carolina

About Bee City USA

Bee City USA is a program that certifies cities and towns across the United States that are committed to creating sustainable habitats for pollinators. South Carolina has several cities that have received this designation, including Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, and Myrtle Beach.

As of 2023, there are 24 Bee City USA affiliates in South Carolina, representing over 1.2 million residents. These affiliates are working to:

• Raise awareness about the importance of pollinators
• Create and enhance pollinator habitats
• Promote the use of native plants
• Reduce the use of pesticides

The Importance of Pollinators

Pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, play a vital role in our ecosystem. They are responsible for pollinating over 90% of the world's flowering plants. This includes many of the fruits, vegetables, and nuts that we eat.

Without pollinators, our food supply would be severely threatened. In addition, pollinators also help to support biodiversity and provide essential ecosystem services, such as seed dispersal and nutrient cycling.

Threats to Pollinators

Pollinators are facing a number of threats, including:

• Habitat loss: The destruction of natural habitats, such as forests and meadows, reduces the availability of food and nesting sites for pollinators.
• Pesticides: The use of pesticides can kill pollinators outright or impair their ability to navigate, forage, and reproduce.
• Climate change: Rising temperatures and changes in precipitation patterns can disrupt the timing of flowering and nesting for pollinators.
• Diseases and parasites: Pollinators can be infected by a variety of diseases and parasites that can weaken or kill them.

How to Help Pollinators

There are a number of things that you can do to help pollinators, including:

• Plant a pollinator garden: Choose a variety of native plants that bloom throughout the year.
• Avoid using pesticides: Use natural methods of pest control, such as companion planting and beneficial insects.
• Provide water: Place a shallow dish of water in your garden to provide a water source for pollinators.
• Create a bee-friendly habitat: Provide nesting sites for bees by building a bee house or leaving deadwood in your garden.
• Educate yourself and others: Learn more about pollinators and how to protect them. Share your knowledge with others and encourage them to take action.

Stories of Success

There are a number of success stories in South Carolina where communities have worked together to protect and enhance pollinators.

In Columbia, the city partnered with the South Carolina Wildlife Federation to plant over 2,000 native plants in city parks and green spaces. The project also included the installation of 100 beehives in the city.

In Greenville, the city partnered with the Upstate Forever conservation group to create a network of pollinator gardens throughout the city. The gardens are planted with a variety of native plants that provide food and habitat for pollinators.

In Myrtle Beach, the city partnered with the Grand Strand Humane Society to create a pollinator meadow at the animal shelter. The meadow is planted with a variety of native plants that provide food and habitat for pollinators.

These are just a few examples of the many ways that communities in South Carolina are working to protect and enhance pollinators. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for pollinators and for ourselves.

Effective Strategies

There are a number of effective strategies that can be used to protect and enhance pollinators. These strategies include:

• Planting a diversity of native plants: Native plants provide the best food and habitat for pollinators. Choose a variety of plants that bloom throughout the year.
• Avoiding the use of pesticides: Pesticides can kill pollinators outright or impair their ability to navigate, forage, and reproduce. Use natural methods of pest control, such as companion planting and beneficial insects.
• Providing water: Pollinators need water to survive. Place a shallow dish of water in your garden to provide a water source.
• Creating nesting sites: Many pollinators, such as bees and butterflies, need places to nest. Provide nesting sites by building a bee house or leaving deadwood in your garden.
• Educating yourself and others: Learn more about pollinators and how to protect them. Share your knowledge with others and encourage them to take action.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks for helping pollinators:

• Plant flowers in clusters: Flowers that are planted in clusters are more attractive to pollinators.
• Choose plants that are fragrant: Fragrant flowers attract pollinators from a distance.
• Avoid planting double-flowered varieties: Double-flowered varieties often have less nectar and pollen than single-flowered varieties.
• Plant a variety of plants that bloom throughout the year: This will provide a continuous food source for pollinators.
• Leave some areas of your garden undisturbed: This will provide nesting sites for pollinators.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are a few common mistakes to avoid when trying to help pollinators:

• Using pesticides: Pesticides can kill pollinators outright or impair their ability to navigate, forage, and reproduce. Avoid using pesticides whenever possible.
• Planting non-native plants: Non-native plants often provide less food and habitat for pollinators than native plants. Choose native plants whenever possible.
• Planting double-flowered varieties: Double-flowered varieties often have less nectar and pollen than single-flowered varieties. Avoid planting double-flowered varieties whenever possible.
• Mowing your lawn too often: Mowing your lawn too often can destroy pollinator habitat. Allow your lawn to grow a little longer, especially during the spring and summer months.
• Removing deadwood from your garden: Deadwood provides nesting sites for many pollinators. Avoid removing deadwood from your garden whenever possible.

Conclusion

Pollinators are essential to our ecosystem and our food supply. By taking steps to protect and enhance pollinators, we can create a more sustainable future for pollinators and for ourselves.

Additional Resources

• Bee City USA
• South Carolina Wildlife Federation
• Upstate Forever
• Grand Strand Humane Society

Tables

Table 1: Bee City USA Affiliates in South Carolina

Table 2: Native Plants for Pollinators in South Carolina