Montclair Passes ‘Bee City USA’ Resolution To Protect Pollinators, Habitats

MONTCLAIR, NJ — The Montclair Town Council recently passed a “Bee City USA” resolution, putting it on a growing list of towns and cities that are trying to protect “pollinator-friendly” habitats within their borders.

The resolution was introduced at the council meeting on Sept. 9. Bee City USA is an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, with offices across the country.

Montclair’s local Bee City USA committee will work to raise public awareness of the harmful effects of pesticide use and suggest alternative approaches to pest control. One issue of particular concern is the practice of mosquito spraying, which, according to Bee City USA, does “next to nothing to control mosquito populations” – but has “devastating effects” on beneficial insects like bees, butterflies, dragonflies, fireflies and ladybugs.

Another initiative of Montclair’s Bee City Committee will be to identify potential sites for pollinator gardens on public lands and develop a program to create or expand pollinator habitat.

The Township’s Office of Sustainability will be the official Bee City Montclair sponsor, working with the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee and local nonprofit Northeast Earth Coalition (NEEC) to implement the resolution.

“It’s exciting to become a Bee City Affiliate and expand our efforts to support pollinators,” said 2nd Ward councilor Eileen Birmingham, who introduced the resolution.

“The council’s unanimous support of the resolution reflects our enthusiastic respect for this critical work, and we look forward to making the Montclair community even more pollinator-friendly,” Birmingham said.

“Bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects are critical to our local and global ecosystems,” at-large councilor Susan Shin-Andersen agreed.

“Together with the recently passed local ordinance prohibiting synthetic pesticides on township-owned land, as a Bee City affiliate, we can continue the work of educating the public about the importance of being a pollinator-friendly community,” Shin-Andersen said.

• See Related: Montclair Bans Use Of 'Toxic Synthetic Pesticides' On Town-Owned Land
• See Related: Botanical Garden In Montclair Makes ‘Best In America’ List
• See Related: This Bumblebee Once Flourished In New Jersey, Now It’s Endangered

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