JOSH DAVIS/BAYSIDE GAZETTE
Salisbury University Students and children from Berlin Intermediate School collaborated to create several pollinator gardens meant to attract bees at Berlin Falls Park.

By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Dec. 13, 2018) Salisbury University students worked on several fronts this year to help make the Town of Berlin a better Bee City USA.

The designation, adopted by the Town Council in May, is overseen by The Xerces Society, an international nonprofit organization that “endorses a set of commitments … for creating sustainable habitats for pollinators, which are vital to feeding the planet,” according to an official website.

Students from Dr. Sarah Surak’s environmental studies senior seminar gave an overview of their activities at a Town Council meeting Monday.

Madison Workman said three groups formed to focus on social media outreach, to provide plans for a future pollinator garden at Berlin Falls park, and to create educational materials both for the public and the park.

Dean Keh and his group produced a promotional video about pollinator efforts at Berlin Falls.

“Berlin Falls park has a bright and promising future, and I wanted to display the potential,” Keh said. “With some interview questions, a camera, some video editing software and a few peaceful walks through the park, I was able to produce something that I hope will be of use to the town.”

In the video, Town Administrator Laura Allen noted the importance of the designation.

“The town’s got a very strong environmental ethic and, [with] this beautiful park that we’re in the process of renovating, it gives us an opportunity with that Bee City designation to really focus on the importance of pollinators. And so, we’ll be putting in a couple of pollinator gardens and doing a little bit of promotion.”

“It is our hope that his pollinator park will help to strengthen our partnerships with various entities within the community … [including] the local schools and the library, and possibly the hospital,” Councilman Dean Burrell said. “This is an opportunity for our community.”

According to Keh, a separate group of Salisbury students built bee boxes and painted them with assistance from Berlin Intermediate School students.

“They will be placed in the park to increase native bee populations,” Keh said. “Berlin hopes to see more collaborations with the community – for the park and their Bee City certification.”

Keh, citing Bee City USA, added, “one in three bites of food we eat is courtesy of insect pollination” and 90 percent of all wild plants and trees rely on pollinators for survival.

“Because of habitat loss, poor nutrition and pesticide use, bees and pollinators face a global decline,” he said. “Small community acts like these give them a fighting chance against extinction.”

Casey King’s group met with Berlin Falls Park Project Coordinator David Deutsch, Lower Shore Land Trust Executive Director Kate Patton and Land Trust volunteer Joe Leib to help design an easy-to-follow pollinator garden template.

She said the design was recommended for use at Berlin Falls and will could be made available “to community members that are interested in creating their own do-it-yourself gardens at home.”

King said town staff and volunteers plan to install the pollinators during Take Pride in Berlin week, next April.

“While it’s important incorporating the pollinator gardens into highly visible and natural landscapes such as Berlin Falls park, long-term pollinator success depends on access to pollinator plans throughout the whole community,” she said. “We hope that after community members visit the Berlin Falls park garden, they’ll find inspiration to plant their own garden.”

Megan Buonpane’s group created pamphlets they hope will help educate the community about pollinators.

“It is vital to the process of maintaining Bee City USA affiliation that the individuals in the Town of Berlin understand where pollinators play a role in their community,” she said. “Our goals encompassed helping the people of Berlin understand the process of pollination and how they can be part of the sustainable initiatives.”

Buonpane said the pamphlets could be handed out during town events. They are also available at the Berlin Welcome Center. Her group also made bee boxes and created a “post-consumer bee sculpture” to support pollinator awareness.

Additionally, the group worked with Dr. Allison Seth’s graphic design class at Salisbury University to create new signs for Berlin Falls Park.

“Our final component includes designing smaller signs with fun facts about bees, Bee City USA and other pollinators that we suggest placing around downtown for the community to see and engage,” Buonpane said.

Mayor Gee Williams congratulated the students on doing something he said had never been done before.

“I’d like to think that Berlin, for many years, has always tried to have a strong environmental ethic,” he said. “I think this is another example of that.”

Williams said the project was also an example of a partnership that helped improve the quality of life for Berlin residents.

“It’s the example you set that matters here … [and] we can accomplish so much more together,” he said. “Collaboration is great word for this town … that’s something hopefully you’ll take from this for the rest of your lives.”

For more information on Bee City USA, visit www.beecityusa.org.