UC San Diego Receives National Designation as a Bee Campus

This article originally appeared in the fall 2024 issue of UC San Diego Magazine as “Busy Bees.”

There’s a big buzz on campus: UC San Diego has been named a Bee Campus USA member, part of a national program created to support all types of pollinators, including birds, bats, bees and multiple insect pollinators, such as butterflies and moths. The program aims to preserve regional biodiversity, boost the abundance of native plant species and reduce pesticide use. 

San Diego County is considered a global biodiversity hot spot, with more than 650 species of native bees and other pollinating insects — and more plant species than any other county in the U.S. 

“The blend of rich local biodiversity, the campus focus on environmental stewardship and a large and engaged student population will make the Bee Campus USA program a great fit for our campus,” says James Nieh, bee expert and professor in the Department of Ecology, Behavior and Evolution at UC San Diego. 

Bees and pollinators are integral to the county’s agricultural and economic landscape. Without effective pollination, high-value crops, such as avocados, would dramatically decline. In addition, pollinators play a crucial role in the natural beauty of outdoor spaces, bringing more than 35 million tourists to the area each year. UC San Diego is committed to enhancing the region’s biodiversity and sustainability efforts by implementing the latest best practices in integrated pest management; continuing its work to improve the UC Natural Reserve System, including the Kendall-Frost Mission Bay Marsh Reserve in San Diego, which has opened a new building for education and research; and supporting cutting-edge research on biodiversity and climate change. 

“The Bee Campus designation is a natural fit and catalyst for ongoing campus efforts,” adds Nieh.