Welcome to the Carson City Parks Recreation and Open Space's very own Bee City USA Home Page! On this page you can find a history of Bee City USA and Carson City's involvement, our contact information, upcoming pollinator events for the year, and helpful pollinator resources!

Bee City USA

Updated on 07/29/2024 12:36 PM

In October 2018, Carson City became the 76^th Bee City USA affiliate in the nation, and the first in the state – setting an example for the rest of Nevada to choose to promote pollinator populations too.

Bee City USA is an initiative of The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a national nonprofit organization based in Portland, Oregon, with regional offices in thirteen states. Bee City USA’s mission is to galvanize communities to sustain pollinators by providing them with healthy habitat, rich in a variety of native plants and free to nearly free of pesticides. Imperiled pollinators like honey bees, bumble bees, butterflies, moths, bats, hummingbirds, and others are responsible for the reproduction of nearly ninety percent of the world's flowering plant species and one in every three bites of food we consume.

Carson City acknowledges the importance of pollinators to healthy ecosystems, agriculture and the local economy. Due to the dramatic declines in pollinator populations globally, Carson City commits to supporting bees and other pollinators in our Parks and Open Space, as well as on private land. In order to enhance understanding among staff and the public about the vital role that pollinators play, and what each of us can do to sustain them, Carson City agrees to establish and maintain a Carson City Bee City USA Committee – to help promote and educate the public on what each of us can do to promote sustainable pollinator habitat in Carson City. Ultimately- becoming a Bee City USA affiliate is a commitment to the cause of pollinator conservation in Carson City; and participation in this program will help ensure the survival of vital pollinator species in our community.

Contact Us

For more information about how you can get involved in Carson City Bee City USA program, please contact us at: beecityusa76@gmail.com.
Want to learn more about planting for pollinators in your yard? Check out our Planting for Pollinators resources below.

Announcements

June is Pollinator month, and Carson City is celebrating with the second annual, 'Bee Kind Carson City, Protect Pollinators' celebration! Throughout the month of June, there will be a variety of pollinator themed education events to join, see below for more details and we hope to see you at our Pollinator Parade at the end of June. Remember, Bee Kind Carson City, Protect Pollinators!

COMING UP:

Friday April 4th at 6:00pm - Reception for Nevada Artists Association gallery show "Birds and the BEES!"

Art opening at NAA Gallery 449 West King Street. Lahontan Audubon Society is honored to partner with the Nevada Artists Association Group and Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space Department to participate in a new art gallery show. Show opens March 29th and runs through May 9, 2025.

Saturday April 26th from 10:00am-1:00pm - Spring Planting for Pollinators

Come and learn what perennial plants best serve pollinators in our climate. Garden experts, plant specialists, free plant lists, and seeds all available at this fun and educational event located at Foreman-Roberts Museum Carriage House (1207 N. Carson St., Carson City).

Thursday May 8th - Washoe State Tree Nursery Opens

Washoe State Tree Nursery specializes in native and locally adapted plants for use in mitigation and revegetation projects. More information can be found at forestry.nv.gov/washoe-state-tree-nursery

Saturday May 10th from 8:00am-2:00pm - Mother's Day Plant Sale

A variety of plant materials are available including organic perennials, milkweed starts, and veggies. Come celebrate mom, visit with fun vendors and learn about pollinators at Carson's Bee City pollinator booth, coloring puppets, free seeds, and great information to share with you about our favorite insects: bees! The plant sale will take place at Green Central site, on East Robinson St. in Carson City, just east of the bus lot at Carson High School (1111 Saliman Rd.) For more information visit http://www.carsoncitygreenhouse.org/plant-sale

Saturday May 17th from 9:00am-1:00pm - Master Gardener Native Plant Sale

The Master Gardeners in Douglas County are hosting the Master Gardener Native Plant Sale at Nature Conservancy's River Fork Ranch, 381 Genoa Lane, Minden, from 9:00am to 1:00pm. Proceeds benefit Master Gardener programs in Douglas County. Great selection of native plants raised by passionate Master Gardeners. Come early for the best selection!

Saturday May 31st - Pollinator Plant Sale at Carson Community Garden (1044 Beverly Drive)

Come join Master Gardener Volunteers at the Pollinator Plant Sale. Organic perennials, milkweed, and your one-stop shop for gardening information all in one place! http://extension.unr.edu/master-gardeners/program.aspx?ID=68. Contact Cooperative Extension to learn more at (775) 887-2252.

June 1st-30th - Pollinator Display at the Carson City Library

Bee City #76, Pollinators on Parade displayed at Carson City Library, 900 N. Roop St. located in the lobby entry. Come see our annual exhibit which showcases the benefits of bees!

Saturday June 21st at 10:00am - Carson City Pollinator Palooza

The Carson City Pollinator Palooza will run from 10:00am-2:00pm starting with the 1-mile Pollinator Parade from 10:00am to 11:30am starting on the east side of the Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson St. The parade is a fun way to showcase the many pollinators that inhabit our world, from bees to butterflies, to bats and others. Free entry, bring water, no pets please. Parade will proceed south on Carson Street, then return. Following the Parade, join the fun at Plato's Closet, 1305 S. Carson Street (in the Carson Mall), from 12:00pm-1:00pm, for refreshments and a magic show for the kids. Visit the Bee City Booth to get a picture with the queen bee!

Saturday June 28th from 9:00am-2:00pm - "What's the Buzz About Bees?"

Join us at Greenhouse Garden Center, 2450 S. Curry St., where beekeepers and gardeners will talk about bees and other pollinators, what to plant and how to manage your garden to benefit all types of bees and butterflies. Bee City #76 will be there to talk about ways we can all protect, expand and enhance pollinator habitat.