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The buzz around campus: OHIO remains pollinator-friendly with Bee Campus designation
窪蹋勛圖 recently received the Bee Campus USA designation for a fourth straight year. Through sustainable management of campus grounds, OHIO remains committed to protecting and providing environments for vital pollinator species.
Alex Semancik | August 25, 2025
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A vast majority of the worlds plants depend on pollinators. Pollination is a crucial part of plant reproduction, and without pollinators, humans and all of earths terrestrial ecosystems would not survive, according to the .
Through sustainable management of campus grounds, 窪蹋勛圖 remains committed to protecting and providing environments for vital pollinator species. OHIO recently received the designation for a fourth straight year. Bee Campus USA provides a framework for university and college campus communities to work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites and reducing the use of pesticides.
窪蹋勛圖 Director of Sustainability Sam Crowl says this is just another way the University showcases its commitment to sustainability and environmental education.
Since 2021 we have annually received the Bee Campus USA designation for educating our community on the importance of pollinators and for actively working on our campus habitats, said Crowl. Sustainability focuses on decisions that benefit people, the environment and economic prosperity now and in the future. Creating and enhancing pollinator habitats is an economical choice to support these essential species.
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Crowl adds that in addition to being vital for plant life, pollination plays a role in the worlds food system.
More than one-third of global food crops depend on pollinators to transfer pollen from one plant to another, emphasized Crowl. Plants use pollen to produce fruit or seed and many cannot reproduce without receiving pollen.
A sustainable commitment to pollinators
OHIO has a history of improving its landscape for pollinators and other wildlife that extends even before becoming a Bee Campus USA affiliate. Crowl says that Susan Calhoun, retired 窪蹋勛圖 Landscape Coordinator and Grounds Manager, worked with the Office of Sustainability on plans, policies and activities that supported sustainable campus grounds.
Her passion, knowledge and energy were largely responsible for 窪蹋勛圖s ongoing involvement in pollinator initiatives, he said.
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Calhouns work has made a lasting impact. In 2025, OHIO is continuing to improve its landscapes for pollinators in several ways. Since 2021 OHIO has supported new student-led pollinator garden installations at locations such as Bingham House, the golf course and the new Ecohouse. Pollinator gardens help provide food, water and shelter to various species throughout the year.
Grounds Services and the Office of Sustainability also maintain pre-existing pollinator gardens across campus, support reduced mowing in areas near pollinator habitats, create intentional naturalized areas, remove invasive species and conduct research on the Schoonover Green Roof. Additionally, Grounds Services has continued following OHIOs Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Plan.
For more information about 窪蹋勛圖s Bee Campus USA program, contact Sam Crowl at crowls1@ohio.edu or sustainability@ohio.edu.
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