Agnes Scott and BeeCatur Recognized for Sustainable Pollinator Practices

Decatur, GA—Decatur’s commitment to pollinator conservation received national recognition in October when the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation spotlighted the city’s beekeepers in a webinar introducing its Integrated Pest Management (IPM) toolkit. The webinar, led by Xerces Society’s Aaron Anderson, highlighted best practices for developing and refining IPM plans to implement ecological solutions that protect pollinators and other invertebrates. 

The IPM process, a key component of BeeCity and BeeCampus certifications, emphasizes preventive and sustainable approaches to pest management, setting clear thresholds and guidance for interventions only when necessary. Decatur’s BeeCity affiliate, BeeCatur, certified in 2018, and Agnes Scott College’s BeeCampus, certified in 2020, were featured in the new IPM toolkit’s checklist, recognizing their dedication to pollinator-friendly practices.

Among the highlighted initiatives is Agnes Scott College’s original organic demonstration garden, managed by the College’s Center for Sustainability in collaboration with People for Pollinators and BeeCatur. This garden has served as a model for sustainable, pollinator-friendly landscaping. Recently, these groups partnered on the Building on Dana project, launching a third organic plot on campus. This transformation of greenspaces around the Dana Fine Arts Building into pollinator-friendly gardens has been instrumental in supporting biodiversity.

Their efforts were further recognized in late 2024 when Re: Wild Your Campus featured them in its Annual Impact Report, celebrating their contributions to sustainable campus environments.

Residents and visitors can witness this ongoing progress through the year-long study of the Dana Fine Arts Building, culminating in the exhibition Building on Dana / Patterns in Space, open through May 19. As part of the exhibition’s programming, “Growing with Dana” will offer a series of lectures and workshops on sustainable habitats, held on alternate Wednesday evenings. The series will conclude with a community conversation on IPM strategies and their impact on local pollinators.

This collaborative initiative brings together the Building on Dana project, Agnes Scott College’s Center for Sustainability, BeeCampus USA (People for Pollinators chapter), Bee City USA – Decatur (BeeCatur), and the City of Decatur, reinforcing the city’s leadership in ecological stewardship.

For more information on Decatur’s pollinator conservation efforts and upcoming events, visit https://beecityusa.org/ipm-checklist/ or contact Katherine Smith at  kasmith@agnesscott.edu. Visit agnesscott.edu to learn more about the college and ways you can support programs and initiatives.