Protecting Pollinators, One Forage Grant at a Time: A Closer Look at the Newest Feed a Bee Grantees

Last year, the Bayer Bee Care Program launched the Feed a Bee 50-state forage initiative. The goal: plant bee-friendly forage in all 50 states by the end of 2018 by awarding grants to organizations and individuals seeking to establish or restore pollinator habitat in their communities. A year and a half, more than $500,000 and six funding rounds later, we’re closing in on our goal, funding exciting projects in 47 states and Washington, D.C. The latest round of funding will award grants to 15 new projects, bringing the total number to 140 across the nation.

But what exactly will these projects entail, and which organizations were selected? Find out more about a few of the newest grantees below!

Our Newest Additions: Mississippi and Nevada

Two of our most recent grantees hail from states we hadn’t funded in the previous five rounds. But with the addition of Mississippi State University and the City of Henderson, Nevada, we are closer than ever to our goal. The project at Mississippi State University will focus on developing a Black Belt Prairie-themed pollinator garden, which willattract honey bees and other pollinators through the establishment of native prairie grasses and wildflowers. Additionally, the university will use this garden as an educational tool for students and others through Mississippi Bug Blues, a program of the Mississippi Entomological Museum. In Nevada, the City of Henderson will use their grant funds to establish native plants within their Bird Viewing Preserve, where viewers will learn about the importance of honey bees and even see a hive on display. The city is in the process of acquiring 21 honey bee hives, which will rely on these native plants for essential forage and habitat. Henderson hopes the additional forage will also encourage other pollinators to call the city home.

Making History: Friends of Newton Cemetery

While we often hear of grantees using their funds to develop pollinator gardens within parks, on school grounds or as part of a community establishment, we also love finding out about those projects that bring pollinator habitat and education to unexpected places. One such project this round involves planting in a cemetery at a site only minutes from Boston. A historical site In Massachusetts, the Newton Cemetery was founded in 1855 before the establishment of public parks and quickly became a popular outdoor spot. The nonprofit organization, The Friends of Newton Cemetery, maintains the cemetery and will use their grant funds to enhance the natural setting by creating a pollinator garden, which will span 600 square feet. The organization hopes to preserve the cemetery for years to come, and will ensure this garden remains an important feature for the many visitors who come to the cemetery to see the historic structures.

Meet the Rest of the Newest Grantees!

All our grantees are doing amazing work supporting pollinators in their communities, whether that’s on golf courses, throughout county conservancies or on college campuses. This round, the Feed a Bee Steering Committee awarded forage grants to a total of 15 new projects. Not including the three mentioned above, the other 12 are:

• Mills College, California
• Orange County Coastkeeper, California
• Cole Valley Christian Schools, Idaho
• Northbrook Park District, in collaboration with Aurelia Nichols, Illinois
• Allamakee Clayton Electric Cooperative, Iowa
• MiEnergy Cooperative, Iowa
• Route Forty School, Maryland
• National Wild Turkey Federation, New Jersey
• Lancaster County Conservancy, Pennsylvania
• Guthrie Farms, Tennessee
• Texas Park and Wildlife Department, Texas
• Wildlife Education and Conservation Society of South Texas, Texas

We are proud to call them members of the Feed a Bee family, and we’re excited to see each grantee’s progress along the way. Interested in supporting pollinators in a big way? Apply for your own forage grant today!