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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-0714 Documents Submitted at Mtg 1~ -Lei ~ J '7, / Talent adopts resolution to become second Bee City USA Guidelines encourage areas of undisturbed vegetation to foster buzzing pollinators By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune July 04, 2014 2:00 AM Talent is in line to become the second Bee City USA in the country following approval Wednesday of a City Council resolution that adopts the title,and national guidelines. "That is awesome. The biggest thing to do is having the council adopt a resolution," Phyllis Stiles, executive director of the Bee City USA program, said Thursday. A few simple steps are required to complete a process the group's board will review, she said. Dolly Warden, a beekeeper and a member of the city's Together for Talent Committee, began promoting the designation last fall. She formed a group that took the proposal to the council. She was sick Tuesday and unable to attend the meeting. "It was a gleam in her eye," said Jamie Hickner, a group member. "It's fantastic our City Council approved it tonight." Bee City USA encourages city leaders to raise awareness of the contributions of bees and other pollinators. The group wants to foster practices to help pollinators, which can include reduction or elimination of pesticides and establishment of areas friendly to bees. Asheville, N.C., is currently the only designated Bee City. The volunteer Bee City organization was created through the Center for Honeybee Research in Asheville. President Barrack Obama issued a memorandum June 20 to create a federal strategy to protect the health of honey bees and other pollinators. A pollinator health task force will be established that will devise plans to increase and improve pollinator habitat. "We are excited. Until now it has just been Asheville," said Stiles. "The intent was always to spread out across the country. We believe there is a tipping point where the cities realize it is doable." Stiles has received three emails from Ashland residents seeking information on the designation. She said Seattle and a city in Pennsylvania are also close to gaining the designation. The Talent council discussed the designation at its June 18 meeting. A report by Community Development Director Zac Moody questioned a provision in a draft resolution from Bee City USA that encouraged undisturbed spaces such a leaf and brush piles and unmowed fields left for nesting and overwintering of native pollinators. Moody was concerned that requirement might be in conflict with a city ordinance that requires grass and noxious vegetation not exceed 10 inches during fire season and that leaf piles be removed. i The resolution passed by the council' did not include the Bee City undisturbed spaces wording. "I can't imagine that will be a deal breaker," said Stiles. "We are learning as we go. Well have to discuss that. We try very much to make it about supporting the pollinators. We know it will be different for each city." Additional steps to gain the designation include establishment of a pollinator subcommittee, installation of a Bee City USA street sign, posting pollinator information on the city website, annual celebration of National pollinator Week and yearly renewal of the designation. All six council members voted for the resolution. "I think it's a step in the right direction," said Cheri Hammons, a member of Warden's group. "There's still a lot of work to be done for our pollinators." Tony Boom is a freelance writer living in Ashland. Reach him at tboomwriter@gmail.com. -Pull RESOLUTION NO. RESOLUTION DESIGNATING ASHLAND, OREGON A BEE CITY USA WHEREAS, the goal of BEE C17Y USA is to promote healthy, sustainable habitats and communities for bees and other pollinators; and WHEREAS, thanks to the tremendous diversity of wild native bees, along with honey bees that were brought here from Europe in the 1600's, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts and vegetables: "One in every three bites offood we eat is courtesy of insect pollination. Even our meat and milk trace back to insects that pollinate the alfalfa and other feed for beefcattle and cows" (Mace Vaughan, Pollinator Program Director for the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation); and WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators around the globe have experienced dramatic declines due to a combination of habitat loss, use of pesticides, and the spread of pests'and diseases with grave implications for the future health of flora and fauna; and WHEREAS, cities and their residents have the opportunity to support bees and other pollinators on both public and private land; and WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters environmental awareness and sustainability and increases interactions among community stewards such as commercial and backyard beekeepers, fanners, children, educators, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, plant nurseries, municipalities, neighborhoods, and garden suppliers and clubs; and WHEREAS, the economic benefits of (native and honey) bee-friendliness are: • Healthy ecosystems-insect pollinators are required for pollination and reproduction of about 85% of flowering plants globally, plants that 1) are vital for clean air and water; 2) provide food, fiber and shelter for people and wildlife; and 3) support the very insects that pollinate our crops and form the basis of food webs. Increased vegetable and fruit crop yields due to bee pollination. Increased habitat for natural enemies of crop pests and therefore reduced need for and costs associated with pesticides. Increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local nurseries and growers Income earned by beekeepers and others through the sale of bee products, beekeeping equipment and supplies, and hive rentals for pollination; and heightened prestige and premium asking prices for place- based honey, which enhances the visibility and reputation of its community of origin; and WHEREAS, designating Ashland, Oregon as a BEE CI1Y USA would: Honor and emphasize Ashland's rich agricultural history and present; ' Benefit local businesses that depend on pollinators; Celebrate our cultural identity as a community that values sustainable practices; Contribute to tourism in the region; Improve food security and health by supporting local food sources; and, • Encourage local collaboration on projects that promote environmental education and sustainable practices. WHEREAS, ideal pollinator-friendly habitat: • Provides diverse and abundant nectar and pollen from plants blooming in succession. • Provides clean water for drinking, nest-building, cooling, diluting stored honey, and butterfly puddling. Is pesticide-free or has pesticide use carried out with least ill effects on pollinators. • Is comprised of mostly, if not all, native species of annual and perennial wildflowers, shrubs, trees, and grasses because many native pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co-evolved. • Includes, where possible, designated pollinator zones in public spaces with signage to educate the public and build awareness. Provides for safe and humane removal of bees when required. Provides undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, unmowed fields or field margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering for native pollinators; and -VVHEREAS, in order to enhance understanding among municipal staff a nd the public about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, the City of Ashland agrees to meet the following Page 1 of 2 standards required of all BEE CHT USA designees: 1) Establish/maintain a subcommittee of an appropriate municipal body or department, comprised of citizens and staffed by employees, charged with assembling and disseminating information on topics of pollinator-friendly habitat and policies to municipal departments, residents, businesses, and developers. For example, it might be a subcommittee of the Sustainability, Natural Resources, or Tree Commission. 2) Pass this BEE CI7Y USA resolution (which articulates these standards). 3) Publicly acknowledge the community's commitment by agreeing to a) install/maintain at least one authorized BEE CITY USA street sign in a prominent location, and b) create/maintain links on appropriate pages of the municipal website which includes the municipality's BEE CI7Y USA liaison(s), links to a PDF of this signed Resolution and the BEE CITY USA website, and summaries of the pollinator-friendly activities the municipality has undertaken or accomplished in the previous year(s). T) Commit to annually celebrate National Pollinator Week (third full week of June) or some other appropriate occasion through events, proclamations, and promotions that showcase the municipality's commitment to being a BEE CITY USA affiliate. 5) Commit to annually apply for renewal of the municipality's commitment to being a BEE CITY USA. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL TFIAT: The City Council accepts the designation and commits to the standards of BEE CITY USA. Read, approved, and adopted this day 20 City Clerk Mayor Approved as to form: City Attorney Page 2 of 2 www.beec*tyusa-oralbecome-a-bee-coly-usa.htmI wUl~--r~, ~o y s Asheville Councilman Cecil Bothwell (left) leads Pollinator Parade during August 18, 2012 launch of Bee City USA at Asheville City Market. Photo: Greg Starks Help us build "a movement to turn the tide for pollinators across America. When we receive your signed Application (below) complete with attachments, we will add your community's name to the Bee City USA website, and send you the artwork to produce your own signs to proudly announce the commitment your municipality has made to sustain pollinators, and the larger environment. Benefits of Being a Bee City USA Community When city leaders complete the application process to become a full- fledged affiliate of Bee City USA, they: w www. beecityusa.org/become-a-bee-city-usa. html • extend the municipality's credibility to local grassroots pollinator conservation efforts, • institutionalize the municipality's commitment beyond any one elected official's or staff member's term of service, and • open doors to widespread collaboration for establishing and maintaining healthy pollinator habitat within the municipality's boundaries. By being a Bee City USA community, city leaders can improve their city or town's environment, eating habits, and economy: • Help to ensure the survival of vital animal species crucial to our planet's complex food web. • Raise community awareness of how our food grows and improve local food production through expanded pollination. More than 150 food crops in the United States depend on pollinators, including blueberries, apples, oranges, squash, tomatoes, and almonds. • Improve local plant nursery markets by increasing demand for native, pollinator friendly plants. • Raise community awareness of the dangers of non-native invasive plants to the local ecosystem. • Raise community awareness of more natural ways to deal with home and garden pest problems than toxic chemical pesticides. • Raise community awareness of the local environment's seasonality as understanding grows about the pollinators' reliance on blooming plants and trees. • By encouraging urban beekeeping, increase micro and small business opportunities. Newly discovered pride in local food products, such as artisanal honey and other honey bee products, creates new business opportunities. Its taste and color vary dramatically as a result. Furthermore, as the community of beekeepers grows, the market for beekeeping supplies grows. Here's How Cities & Towns May Apply (Note: All documents are supplied below.) 1. Review Bee City USA's Application. 2. Establish a Bee City USA committee or subcommittee devoted to pollinator conservation. 3. Develop your Bee City USA Resolution following the template provided. 4. Submit an Initial Application for Bee City USA designation. www. beecityusa.org/become-a-bee-city-usa. html 5. Adopt the Bee City USA Resolution and email a copy of the signed Resolution to beecityusaO-gmail, com. Once designated: 1. Annually celebrate being a Bee City USA designee with a Proclamation and public awareness activities. 2. Publicly acknowledge your commitment through signage and web links. 3. Following the Renewal Application form, annually report your activities to Bee City USA to renew your designation. Application Documents: Resolution Template, Resolution Template in Word, Initial Application Form. Initial Application Form in Word, Annual Renewal Application Form, Annual Renewal Application Form in Word, Sample Proclamation, Sample Proclamation in Word City of Asheville becomes Inaugural Bee City USA On June 26, 2012, Asheville City Council votes unanimously to become inaugural Bee City USA. See yd= and signed resolution. IIII^ t ,i. - E r' 4 l 1 VT 1 ; 1 Photo: AshevilleChannel.com Asheville City Councilmen Cecil Bothwell and Gordon Smith unveil the first Bee City USA sign on September 16, 2013 at Asheville City/County Plaza. Each new Bee City USA community receives artwork for producing as many street signs as they like. RM zxc~ IJW~~4 fit Benefits of Being a Bee City USA Community When city leaders complete the application process to become a full-fledged affiliate of Bee City USA, they: • extend the municipality's credibility to local grassroots pollinator conservation efforts, • institutionalize the municipality's commitment beyond any one elected official's or staff member's term of service, and • open doors to widespread collaboration for establishing and maintaining healthy pollinator habitat within the municipality's boundaries. By being a Bee City USA community, city leaders can improve their city or town's environment, eating habits, and economy: • Help to ensure the survival of vital animal species crucial to our planet's complex food web. Raise community awareness of how our food grows and improve local food production through expanded pollination. More than 150 food crops in the United States depend on pollinators, including blueberries, apples, oranges, squash, tomatoes, and almonds. • Improve local plant nursery markets by increasing demand for native, pollinator friendly plants. • Raise community awareness of the dangers of non-native invasive plants to the local ecosystem. • Raise community awareness of more natural ways to deal with home and garden pest problems than toxic chemical pesticides. • Raise community awareness of the local environment's seasonality as understanding grows about the pollinators' reliance on blooming plants and trees. • By encouraging urban beekeeping, increase micro and small business opportunities. Newly discovered pride in local food products, such as artisanal honey and other honey bee products, creates new business opportunities. Honey is absolutely unique to the nearby flowers from which the bees gather nectar. Its taste and color vary dramatically as a result. Furthermore, as the community of beekeepers grows, the market for beekeeping supplies grows.