Fort Bragg Makes Bees a Priority

by Scott Schneider for Western City magazine

Fort Bragg became a Bee City USA® in July 2016 — making it the first city in California to receive the designation. Bee City USA (www.beecityusa.org) is a nonprofit national organization whose mission is to foster ongoing dialogue in urban areas to raise awareness of the role pollinators play in sustaining three-quarters of the world’s plant species and how each of us can help provide healthy habitats for pollinators.

In support of the Fort Bragg City Council’s goal to establish the city as a leader in sustainable practices, Mayor Dave Turner proposed that the council consider adopting a resolution seeking certification of the city as a Bee City USA community. Participating in the national program would increase the awareness and dialogue of what Fort Bragg can do as a community to help provide pollinators with a healthier and more sustainable habitat, thus helping to offset the dramatic decline of honeybee colonies and native pollinators throughout the United States.

Members of the community and Bee Bold Mendocino, a local nonprofit organization that advocates for bees and pollinators throughout Mendocino County, encouraged the city council to pursue the Bee City USA designation.