Bee City Commitments

To become a Bee City USA affiliate, a city must fulfill these commitments:

1. Establish a standing Bee City USA committee to advocate for pollinators

  • Expertise to help the committee complete commitments
  • A mix of volunteers and city staff
  • Committee should have a chair or multiple co-chairs
  • Regular meeting schedule that is open to the public

2. Create and enhance pollinator habitat on public and private land by increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nest sites

  • Create / enhancing habitat on public and private land each year
  • Create a native plant list and native plant supplier list

3. Reduce pesticide usage

  • Create and adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) plan
  • Expand the use of non-chemical pest management methods

4. Incorporate pollinator-conscious practices into city policies and plans

  • Establish a policy to commit to the Bee City USA designation
  • Review the plan and consider improvements to policies and practices
  • Identify appropriate locations for pollinator-friendly plantings
  • Consider other appropriate measures

5. Host pollinator awareness events

  • Host or co-host at least one pollinator awareness event each year
  • Focus on native pollinator conservation

6. Publicly acknowledge Bee City USA affiliation with signs and an online presence

  • Display signage designating community as a Bee City USA affiliate
  • Share information online (activities, plant list, suppliers, and IPM plan)

7. Pay application fee and annual renewal fee

  • Initial application fee
  • Annual renewal fee

8. Annually apply for renewal and report previous year’s activities

  • Submit a renewal application each year after certification
  • Submit annual report

Why Be a Bee City? 

Benefits of Native Bees

Did you know Texas is home to over 800 species of native bees? These include bumblebees, carpenter bees, mason bees, sweat bees, leafcutter bees, and mining bees—just to name a few!

Native bees are amazing pollinators. In fact, scientists say they can be up to 300 times better at pollinating than the more familiar European honey bees. That’s because they visit more flowers in less time, and their bodies are built to move pollen more effectively. They also keep working in windier and cooler weather, which means they help produce more seeds, fruits, and vegetables.

But that’s not all—native bees are also safer to be around. Most of them live alone, so they don’t have a hive to protect. That means they’re gentle and not aggressive. Many can’t sting at all, and those that can usually only sting if they’re accidentally squished. Even then, their sting is milder than a honeybee’s and isn’t known to cause serious allergic reactions like anaphylaxis.

Because of this, native bees are a great way for kids (and adults!) to watch and learn about pollinators up close—without worry.

Native Vs. Exotic Species

A species is considered “native” if it developed naturally within a specific ecosystem, such as the two main ecological zones around Austin:  

  • Blackland Prairie: East of I-35. Known for its dark clay soils, tall grasses, and wildflowers. Trees are mainly found near rivers and streams.
  • Edwards Plateau: The Hill Country! It features shallow, rocky soils, rolling hills, and a mix of trees, grasses, and wildflowers. Rugged canyons and spring-fed creeks support dense woodlands of oak and juniper.

An exotic species is one that has been introduced—either on purpose or by accident—into a new ecosystem where it didn’t originally belong.

Some exotic species may seem harmless, but many disrupt the balance of local ecosystems. They often spread quickly because they leave behind natural predators or diseases from their native habitats.

This can allow them to outcompete native plants and animals, reducing biodiversity. Exotic species may also bring new diseases that hurt native populations.

Altogether, they are considered one of the biggest threats to the health of nature preserves and natural areas in Austin.

Native Bees Need Conservation

Many native bee species are declining. At the same time, European honey bees—an introduced and heavily managed species—have become widespread.

Honey bees are raised for honey production, with around 157,000 hives active in Texas in 2022. Each hive gathers nectar and pollen that native bees need for survival and reproduction.

One hive can use enough resources to impact the survival of up to 110,000 native bee offspring. When you add urban growth, farming practices, pesticides, and landscaping habits, the challenges grow even greater.

Today, more than 115 species of native bees in the U.S. are considered Species of Greatest Conservation Need. While honey bees often get the spotlight, it’s our native bees that truly need our help.