Bee City

Thinking globally and acting locally, Bee City USA provides a framework for communities to work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides. On May 7, 2015, Hendersonville passed a resolution to become a Bee City USA affiliate, making the City the 7th Bee City USA in the Nation. Mayor Barbara Volk said, “Hendersonville’s City Council let it be known that we understand the importance of pollinators, and therefore want to make the town more pollinator-friendly. We are grateful to our Tree Board and the Environmental Sustainability Board for bringing the opportunity to our attention.” Founder and executive director of Bee City USA Phyllis Stiles added, “Of the cities that have applied to date, Hendersonville’s process was the most intentional and inclusive. You are truly a model for other cities to follow.” The City's Tree Board and Environmental Sustainability Board currently serves as the designated committee for the Bee City USA program.

Bee City USA Hendersonville Resolution

For more information, visit these links to learn more about City projects and policies pertaining to pollinator habitat and sustainability as well as past Bee City reports.

Bee City USA Affiliate Spotlight - Hendersonville, NC

Bee City USA - Hendersonville Programs & Resources

Pollinator Trail

Plan your own pollinator-friendly adventure! This ongoing self-guided trail is your guide to eco-friendly gardens, green spaces, food, and art initiatives by the City of Hendersonville that highlight the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.

View the Pollinator Trail (walking friendly) as well as the accompanying Google Map step-by-step walking directions. You can also view the Henderson County Pollinator Trail.

Adopt-A-Pollinator Bed

Be part of our Bee City USA program and join the millions of people taking initiative to increase pollinator conservation. Our City parks need your help!

Native Plant Species List, Suppliers, and Landscapers

Interested in planting a pollinator garden? Check out our Approved Landscape Plant List for Developers, Gardeners, and Homeowners, regional and local suppliers of native plants, as well as list of local Landscape Architects, Landscapers, Garden Contractors.

Habitat Garden Certification Programs

After creating a habitat garden for wildlife and/or pollinators, an important next step is to spread the word. The following programs offer registration, certification, and/or signage to help explain the purpose of the garden to others and inspire others to create a habitat of their own.

Certified Pollinator Habitat - Asheville GreenWorks / Bee City USA

Butterfly Highway - North Carolina Wildlife Federation

Certified Wildlife Habitat - National Wildlife Federation

Homegrown National Park (based on the writings of Doug Tallamy)

Monarch Waystation - University of Kansas Monarch Watch

Pollinator Habitat - Xerces Society

SHARE (Simply Have Areas Reserved for the Environment) - Pollinator Partnership

Bee Friendly Farm & Garden - Pollinator Partnership

Pollinator Sites

View a full list of our pollinator gardens here: https://www.hendersonvillenc.gov/sustainability/land-management

Website Links for Additional Resources

The following websites provide additional plant species lists and/or background information related to creating habitat gardens for wildlife and/or pollinators.

NC State Pollinator Insect Resources - North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, Henderson County Center

Landscaping for Wildlife with Native Plants - North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Pollinator Conservation Guide - North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service

Pollinator Resource Center & Plant List - Xerces Society
https://www.xerces.org/pollinator-resource-center/mid-atlantic
https://xerces.org/publications/plant-lists/pollinator-plants-mid-atlantic-region
https://www.xerces.org/milkweed/milkweed-seed-finder

No Mow May (Welcome Pollinators to your Lawn) – Bee City USA

Selecting Plants for Pollinators: Central Appalachian Ecoregion - Pollinator Partnership

Plant a Window Box for Pollinators - Pollinator Partnership

Pollinators of Native Plants (resources from Heather Holm)

Create Habitat for Monarchs - Monarch Joint Venture
https://monarchjointventure.org/get-involved/create-habitat-for-monarchs
https://monarchjointventure.org/mjvprograms/habitat/milkweed-vendor-map

Garden for Wildlife - National Wildlife Federation
https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/
https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Native-Plants
https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/National-Initiatives/Pollinators
https://www.nwf.org/Garden-for-Wildlife/About/Resources/How-to-Garden-for-Wildlife

Start a new HABITAT - Homegrown National Park (based on the writings of Doug Tallamy)