Adopted Bee City USA Resolution No. 22-101
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA DESIGNATING PINELLAS COUNTY AS A BEE CITY USA AFFILIATE; PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the mission of BEE CITY USA is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators, responsible for the reproduction of almost 90% of the world’s flowering plant species, by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides; and
WHEREAS, thanks to the more than 3,600 species of native bees in the United States, along with introduced honey bees, we have very diverse dietary choices rich in fruits, nuts, and vegetables; and
WHEREAS, bees and other pollinators have experienced population declines due to a combination of habitat loss, poor nutrition, pesticides (including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides), parasites, diseases, and climate change; and
WHEREAS, pollinator-friendly communities can benefit local and regional economies through healthier ecosystems, increased vegetable and fruit crop yields, and increased demand for pollinator-friendly plant materials from local growers; and
WHEREAS, ideal pollinator-friendly habitat (A) Is comprised of mostly native wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees blooming in succession throughout the growing season to provide diverse and abundant nectar and pollen, since many wild pollinators prefer or depend on the native plants with which they co-adapted; (B) is free to nearly free of pesticides, as many pesticides can harm pollinators and/or their habitat; (C) comprises undisturbed spaces (leaf and brush piles, unmown fields or field margins, fallen trees and other dead wood) for nesting and overwintering; and (D) provides connectivity between habitat areas to support pollinator movement and resilience; and
WHEREAS, Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a long-term approach to maintaining healthy landscapes and facilities that minimizes risks to people and the environment by: identifying and removing the causes of pest problems rather than only attacking the symptoms (the pests); employing pests’ natural enemies along with cultural, mechanical, and physical controls when prevention is not enough; and using pesticides only when no other method is feasible or effective; and
WHEREAS, supporting pollinators fosters broad-based community engagement in environmental awareness and sustainability; and
WHEREAS, Pinellas County should be certified a BEE CITY USA community because Pinellas County has made significant efforts to prioritize the establishment of pollinator-friendly areas on County owned-property, promote bees and other pollinator population growth efforts, and decrease the use of pesticides when other methods are feasible and effective; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF PINELLAS COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS A DULY ASSEMBLED MEETING HELD ON THIS 15th DAY Of NOVEMBER, 2022, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. To enhance understanding among local government staff and the public about the vital role that pollinators play and what each of us can do to sustain them, Pinellas County chooses to support and encourage healthy pollinator habitat creation and enhancement, resolving as follows:
- The Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department is hereby designated as the BEE CITY USA – PINELLAS COUNTY sponsor.
- The Director of the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Department is designated as the EE CITY USA – PINELLAS COUNTY Liaison
- Facilitation of the BEE CITY USA program is assigned to the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Advisory Board.
- The Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Resources Advisory Board is authorized to and shall:
a. Celebration: Host at least one educational event or pollinator habitat planting or restoration each year to showcase Pinellas County’s commitment to raising awareness of pollinator conservation and expanding pollinator health and habitat through its collaboration with our community support organization “Friends of Brooker Creek Preserve” and its annual Wildflower Festival.
b. Publicity & Information: Install and maintain at least one authorized BEE CITY USA – PINELLAS COUNTY street sign in a prominent location, and create and maintain a webpage on the Pinellas County website which includes, at minimum a copy of this resolution and links to the national BEE CITY USA website; contact information for our BEE CITY USA – PINELLAS COUNTY Liaison and Committee; reports of the pollinator-friendly activities the community has accomplished the previous year(s); and our recommended native plant species list and integrated pest management plan (explained below).
c. Habitat: Develop and implement a program to create or expand pollinator-friendly habitat on public and private land, which includes, but is not limited to: Identifying and inventorying Pinellas County’s real property that can be enhanced with pollinator-friendly plantings; creating a recommended locally native plant list to include wildflowers, grasses, vines, shrubs, and trees and a list of local suppliers for those species; and, tracking (by square footage and/or acreage) annual area of pollinator habitat created or enhanced.
d. Pollinator-Friendly Pest Management: Create and adopt an integrated pest management (IPM) plan designed to prevent pest problems, reduce pesticide use, and expand the use of non-chemical pest management methods, as described in Pinellas County’s Integrated Vegetation Management Plan.
e. Policy & Plans: Establish, through Pinellas County, a policy in the Pinellas County Comprehensive Plan to acknowledge and commit to the BEE CITY USA designation and review the Pinellas County Plan and other relevant documents to consider improvements to pest management policies and practices as they relate to pollinator conservation, identify appropriate locations for pollinator-friendly plantings, and consider other appropriate measures.
f. Renewal: After completing the first calendar year as a BEE CITY USA affiliate, each February, apply for renewal of Pinellas County’s BEE CITY USA – PINELLASCOUNTY designation following the format provided by BEE CITY USA, including a report of the previous year’s BEE COUNTY USA activities, and paying the renewal fee based on Pinellas County’s population.
Section 2. This Resolution shall become effective upon its adoption.
APPROVED AS TO FORM
By: Cody J. Ward, Assistant County Attorney
Date: November 15, 2022
Commissioner Peters offered the foregoing Resolution and moved its adoption, which was seconded by Commissioner Long, and upon roll call, the vote was: 6 Ayes 0 Nays. Absent and not voting: Gerard
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