Manassas residents and officials are attempting to “bee” helpful.
The city is now a Bee City USA affiliate, a decision that was approved by the Manassas City Council last month, according to a release from the City of Manassas.
Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation runs the program, which seeks to encourage the public to provide a healthy habitat for pollinators.
“The program aspires to make people more PC—pollinator conscious, that is,” Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation Executive Director Scott Hoffman Black stated in a release. “If lots of individuals and communities begin planting native, pesticide-free flowering trees, shrubs and perennials, it will create large-scale change for many, many species of pollinators.”
As a Bee City USA affiliate, Manassas must have awareness activities, recognize its commitment, and create a report each year that focuses on ways that habitat can be improved.
A Bee Festival has been scheduled for June 26. Hosted by the Beautification Committee, the free event will take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. at Liberia House and gardens, 8601 Portner Avenue.
Arts and crafts, music, food, mead and beer are going to be offered.
“The City of Manassas Beautification Committee is honored to take part in saving this natural resource,” Committee Chair Mark Olsen said in a release. “Bees are very important to the ecosystem and keeping plants growing. We look forward to seeing folks out at the Bee Festival on June 26 at Liberia House.”
