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To support the designation of the City of Richmond as an affiliate of Bee City USA for the purpose of supporting the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Community Facilities commitment to enhancing and increasing pollinator habitats in the city of Richmond.
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WHEREAS, the mission of Bee City USA is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators, who are responsible for the reproduction of almost 90 percent of the world's flowering plant species, by providing them with healthy habitat rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the more than 3,600 species of native bees in the United States, along with introduced honey bees, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a combination of habitat loss, poor nutrition, pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides), parasites, diseases, and climate change; and
WHEREAS, pollinator-friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local growers; and
WHEREAS, an ideal pollinator-friendly habitat:
1. Is comprised of mostly native wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the growing season to provide diverse and abundant nectar and pollen, since many wild pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co-adapted;
2. Is free to nearly free of pesticides, as many pesticides can harm pollinators and/or their habitat;
3. Is comprised of undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, unmown fields or field margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering; and
4. Provides connectivity between habitat areas to support pollinator movement and resilience; and
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