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Local advocate urges Helena to pursue Bee City USA designation to protect native pollinators
Summary
Jill Jones presented the Bee City USA program to the council on Feb. 23, recommending the city nest a pollinator committee under an existing board, pursue a KOWACA grant (application window April–June), and consider less‑toxic pest control options; council members signaled support but raised cost concerns.
HELENA, Ala. — Jill Jones briefed the council on the Bee City USA program and urged the city to consider an official pollinator designation to support native bees and community outreach.
Jones said the program can be started by nesting a pollinator committee under an existing body such as the Farmers Market or the Beautification Board and that yearly outreach could be coordinated through those channels. "The easiest way to get a committee started would be to nest it under another already existing committee," Jones said.
Jones noted grant opportunities through KOWACA (application window April through June) and said Mountain Brook has halted spraying while neighbouring Pelham limits spraying to between 2 and 3 a.m. Council members Andy Healy and Cathy Hammann both said they were willing to help with committee startup; the mayor asked about grant funding and less‑toxic chemical costs.
Jones said Bee City USA emphasizes native bee species and that the common honeybee is not native. She said the program provides signage and outreach materials once a city is established. Council members asked Jones to follow up about volunteers she had previously contacted and to report back with more information; Healy said he plans to present market bylaws and related volunteer recruitment on March 23.
