Bettendorf proclaims May 2025 Bike Month and recognizes World Bee Day; city joins Bee City USA

Bettendorf — Mayor Robert Gallagher issued two proclamations at the May 20 City Council meeting: one recognizing May 2025 as Bike Month and another recognizing May 20, 2025 as World Bee Day and designating the city as a Bee City USA sponsor.

The Bike Month proclamation, requested by the Met North Trails Committee, notes the national observance and lists objectives such as promoting bicycle commuting and recreation, reducing pollution, and supporting local businesses through bicycle-friendly attractions. Present to receive the proclamation were Phil Schuette (Met North Trails Committee), Jason Manfel (Parks Maintenance Manager) and John Burns (Parks and Recreation Director), among others.

The World Bee Day proclamation, requested by the Parks Maintenance Division, recognizes pollinator conservation and names the Parks Maintenance Division as the Bee City USA sponsor for the City of Bettendorf. The proclamation cites local pollinator projects including a new pollinator garden at Devil’s Glen and other work in Parkway. A member of the local parks staff noted Bettendorf will be the third city in Iowa to be a Bee City USA sponsor and invited the public to upcoming volunteer events.

Council members and park staff thanked volunteers and staff behind the projects. The mayor encouraged citizens to try biking and to learn about pollinator conservation as part of the proclamations.

Nut graf

The proclamations formally link city policy and community groups to two nationwide observances: Bike Month and World Bee Day/Bee City USA. They recognize city maintenance and parks staff, volunteers and committees for programming and projects intended to promote cycling and pollinator habitat locally.

Background and details

- Bike Month: Proclamation urges residents to try bicycling for transportation and recreation, and highlights the Met North Trails Committee and local events such as Bike to Work Week. - World Bee Day / Bee City USA: The Parks Maintenance Division was designated the city's Bee City USA sponsor; the Bettendorf Bee City subcommittee (an affiliate of the Bettendorf Conservation Committee) will facilitate the program. Local projects cited include a pollinator garden at Devil’s Glen and planned work days in city parks.

Quotes

"We are gonna be officially the third city in the state of Iowa to be a Bee City USA," a parks representative said during the proclamation presentation, and invited volunteers to upcoming work days.

Ending

The proclamations are ceremonial recognitions and do not by themselves create regulatory changes or funding commitments. City staff and volunteers were acknowledged and the council encouraged public participation in bike- and pollinator-related events.