Central College has recently been certified as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program.

Central is the only college in Iowa to earn the designation recognizing commitment to a set of practices supporting pollinators, including bees, butterflies, birds, and bats. Associate Professor of Biology Paulina Mena works with students to observe and collect bees at the college’s vegetable garden, the college’s field station and at sites throughout the state. She tells KNIA/KRLS News the research is documenting the declining genetic diversity of the roughly 400 species of bees native to Iowa.

Students Molly Luzbetak and Madison Friedrich led the effort to receive Bee Campus USA Certification by building a “bee hotel” providing habitat for wild bees, and they planned a series of bee education events connecting college experts with local school and community groups. Hear more about Central College and the work to research pollinators on campus on today’s In Depth with Dr. Bob Leonard.