Bee Campus USA - Pollinator Conservation

MUSC seeks to incorporate an inclusive pollinator strategy to promote pollinators in our landscape. We are working to reach this goal through four main avenues.

• Enhanced Landscape Planning and Maintenance
  Improving and adjusting our landscape planning and execution to promote a cohesive habitat that serves both pollinators and the MUSC community.
• Urban Pollinator Habitats
  Promoting and providing areas throughout campus that supply shelter and water for pollinators to utilize while maintaining the safety of visitors, students, and employees at MUSC.
• Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Maintenance
  Utilizing an ecosystem-based strategy for long term prevention of landscape pests and their damage through a number of mechanical and biological techniques specific to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.
• Education and Outreach to the Community
  Serving as a living resource for other campuses and communities through educational opportunities and demonstrations of best practices for pollinators and people.

Landscaping & Maintenance

MUSC is committed to utilizing more native and perennial plants in the campus landscape to improve water retention, livability, coastal adaptation, and increase pollinators. In 2016 we took an inventory of all the “pollinator friendly” trees, perennial shrubs and flowers on campus to determine what percentage of the campus landscape was native and pollinator friendly.

We now are able to work from that baseline to introduce and maintain a variety of additional native flowering species for both nectar and foraging. View a list of MUSC’s current tree inventory.

Urban Pollinator Habitat Creation

The addition of specific areas designed to meet the other needs of pollinators is a priority. Safe shelter and habitat design, as well as water sources are integral to pollinator survival. The addition of specific areas for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators has brought beautiful spaces to the campus that is also utilitarian.

We have an established pollinator garden on the corner of Bravo and Bee Street next to our Wellness Center.

The BeeCause Project

Bee colonyWe have partnered with The BeeCause Project to install an educational honey bee hive at the MUSC Pollinator Garden. This hive allows visitors to look into a real active honey bee hive to see the inner workings of the honey bee.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Strategy

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an ecosystem-based strategy focusing on long-term prevention of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of getting rid of the target organism. The objective of practicing IPM is to acquire long term equilibrium of pests, and provide ecological habitats for pollinators on campus through a range of integrated methods .

Education and Outreach

The MUSC BeeCampus community seeks to promote pollinator education (PDF) and outreach through information sharing, educational workshops, interactive displays, and supporting community events. Yearly events are held to promote, educate, and beautify the campus and community with a focus on pollinator protection and promotion.