How You Can Help

_{Native landscapes around homes or schools provide much-needed habitat for native bees.}

Create Habitat on Your Property

Many of our native bees are “central place foragers” and feed very close to their nest, so small-scale habitats can be very helpful.  Planting native plants and reducing pesticides are critical factors in creating habitat.  For more information about designing a native landscape, see Austin’s Grow Green Program website. Since native landscapes use less water, projects may be eligible for a rebate.  For more information, see Austin Water’s Waterwise Landscape Residential Rebate website.  Some native species are not found in local nurseries.  Therefore, you may wish to visit seasonal native plant sales hosted by the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center or local chapters of the Native Plant Society of Texas. Solitary bees have no hive to defend.  Therefore, they are not aggressive, which makes them perfect for school habitats.  For more information, see Native Solitary Bees:  Kid-friendly bees for schoolyards (PDF). Finally, when you have created your small-scale habitat, consider certifying it through the National Wildlife Federation.  For more information, see Cerrtify You Habitat website.

_{Exotic species, like Japanese Honeysuckle, dominate natural areas.}

Avoid / Remove Exotic Plants

One of the biggest problems impacting local natural areas is exotic, invasive vegetation.  Species like Ligustrum (Ligustrum sp.), Nandina (Nandina domestica) and golden bamboo (Phyllostachys aurea) escape residential landscapes and invade/dominate natural areas.  These species crowd out native vegetation, eliminate habitat for native pollinators, and cost a lot of money to try to control. No one intends this to happen. It is simply a side effect of unknowingly planting harmful species around our homes and businesses. The solution is simple. Do not purchase these plants and remove any specimens currently growing in landscapes.

_{Pesticides, especially neonicotinoids, are harmful to bees and other pollinators.}

Reduce / Eliminate Pesticides

Native bees and other pollinators are highly susceptible to pesticides.  Of particular concern are those referred to as neonicotinoids (“nee-oh-nik-oh-tin-oids”).  This category of pesticide acts on the nervous system and is very toxic to bees.  The most common active ingredients classified as a neonicotinoid include imidacloprid, thiamethoxam, clothianidin, thiacloprid, dinotefuran, acetamiprid, nitenpyram and sulfoxaflor.  Neonicotinoids may be applied to the soil of pots while at the grower, absorbed into plant tissues, and kill invertebrates that feed on the plant.  Unfortunately, it is impossible to tell from observation if the plant you purchased at the nursery has been exposed to a neonicotinoid.  Therefore, the best strategy is to shop at nurseries that guarantee their stock is neonicotinoid-free. Likewise, there are many organic methods of controlling specific pests while keeping pollinators safe.  Search the internet for Austin organic gardening for more information. If your local nursery is not Bee City Certified, you may choose to send a letter to them to encourage them to become certified.

_{Large-scale natural areas like Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve and Renee Barrera Indiangrass Preserve protect wildlife habitat.}

Support Large-Scale Habitat Management

The Austin area is fortunate to have an extensive network of parks, natural areas, and nature preserves that not only serve to keep humans healthy, but also provide strongholds for native wildlife to thrive.  However, these properties are threatened by invasive species and need to be actively managed to function as healthy ecosystems.  Managing native habitats requires resources and may involve land treatments (such as prescribed fire or forest thinning) that can result in negative public reaction.  These habitats and the actions that maintain them need citizen champions to help educate neighbors and express public support.

_{Prescribed fire being applied at Onion Creek Wildlife Sanctuary to improve forest health and reduce wildfire risk.}

_{Students install landscaping at their school.}

Report Your Efforts

The city must provide annual progress reports to Bee City USA.  We would like to include the efforts of our partners and private citizens.  Please email us and tell us about habitat you have created.

_{Educational programs are offered in many locations.}

Continue to Learn

To become well-informed native bee caretakers takes time and education.  Presentations, classes, and training opportunities are offered throughout the year through various partnering organizations.  By continuing to learn about the needs of native bees, we can be better prepared to provide for them.  See the Events Calendar for learning opportunities near you.

_{Citizen scientists gather data in a preserve.}

Give Back to the Community

We can’t succeed without you!  There are many roles that volunteers can play to make our community better for native bees.  Unfortunately, data about the distribution of many native bees is sparse.  Conservationists need to know the most basic information about many species to begin to formulate strategies for their conservation.  Citizens can help by using phone apps like iNaturalist, Project Noah, Ebird, etc., to document species observations.  The great thing is that you don’t have to be an expert and know what you are reporting.  Simply create an observation with basic information the app records and expert citizen scientists will help arrive at an identification.  Additionally, many of Austin’s parks and natural areas have volunteer opportunities to help install habitats or manage existing habitats.

More Information

• Austin’s Community PARKnerships Program
• It’s My Park Day sponsored by the Austin Parks Foundation (website)

Contact Us

• Jessica Gilzow, contact email