Encinitas City Council Expected To Sign Bee City USA Affiliate Measure

ENCINITAS, CA — Encinitas's city council is buzzing with the idea of becoming a Bee City USA Affiliate. This week, the council was expected to sign a resolution to align with the costs and commitments to designate themselves a "Bee City."

Bee City USA Affiliate cities must have a population between 55,000 and 99,000. Encinitas currently has around 60,000 residents. Bee City USA cities must pay a $400 fee to cover the cost of the application, as well as collaboration between the environmental commission, volunteers and implementation of Bee City USA commitments, and staff time must also be allotted, according to the agenda report.

In November, Councilmembers Kellie Hinze and Joy Lyndes first suggested the affiliation with Bee City USA, to provide a framework to conserve native pollinators, reduce pesticides, and make Encinitas more "bee-friendly."

When the city approves the resolution, they will be committing to the following:

1. Establish a standing Bee City USA Committee to advocate for pollinators.
2. Create and enhance pollinator habitats on public and private land by increasing the abundance of native plants.
3. Create a native plant list and native plant supplier list.
4. Reduce the use of pesticides.
5. Incorporate pollinator-conscious practices into city policies and plans.
6. Host at least one pollinator awareness event every year.
7. Publically acknowledge Bee City USA Affiliation with signs and an online presence.
8. Apply and annually renew affiliation with Bee City USA.

If approved, the city would need to initiate the above within one year, according to the agenda item.

Residents like Rose Hogling, an employee of Encinitas Bee Company discussed the idea withCoast News in November, sharing her support of the idea.

“Without pollinators, ecosystems collapse,” Hogling said. “Pollination is crucial to the biodiversity and resiliency of our ecological communities.”

Bee City USA is the brainchild of the Xerces Society, to promote conservation efforts across the country. Learn more about Bee City USA beecityusa.org.