Two-tailed Swallowtail Butterfly on native Cleome serrulata, White Rock, NM. Photo by Dana Ecelberger
PEEC News:
Bee City Los Alamos marks its first anniversary as a Bee City USA affiliate, celebrating a year of dedicated efforts to protect and promote native pollinators in Los Alamos County. With strong support from Los Alamos County, the Pajarito Environmental Education Center (PEEC), and an incredible network of community volunteers, the initiative has made significant progress in fostering a more pollinator-friendly environment.
One of the most significant projects of the past year has been the Backyard Pollinator Garden Project, made possible through the generous support of the Carroll Petrie Foundation. This initiative has provided Los Alamos and White Rock residents with native shrubs and flowers to plant in their yards free of charge, expanding pollinator habitats beyond public spaces. By creating a network of safe, sustainable feeding and nesting areas, the program strengthens local ecosystems and ensures pollinators have the resources they need to thrive.
Another major achievement was the establishment of a Pollinator Demonstration Garden near the Betty Ehart Senior Center. Created in collaboration with Los Alamos County, this vibrant garden features a variety of native plants that support bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects. It also serves as an educational resource, showcasing pollinator-friendly landscaping practices that residents can replicate in their own yards. Volunteers continue to maintain the space, ensuring its long-term success.
Bee City Los Alamos also worked to raise awareness about pollinator conservation throughout the County by engaging residents in hands-on opportunities to make a difference. Through the iNaturalist project “Native Plants and Pollinators in Los Alamos County,” community members contributed valuable data on local pollinator populations and their interactions with native plants, helping to inform future conservation efforts.
Looking ahead, a new round of plant kits will be available through the Backyard Pollinator Garden Project, with applications opening in June. Bee City Los Alamos will continue to encourage residents to participate in the iNaturalist citizen science project and engage in more opportunities for the community to get involved through education and volunteer efforts.
This first year would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of community members who volunteered their time, planted pollinator-friendly gardens, contributed to citizen science efforts, and supported Bee City initiatives. Bee City Los Alamos extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped make this inaugural year a success.
Bee City Los Alamos is guided by a volunteer committee that meets at 4 p.m., the third Tuesday of each month at the Los Alamos Nature Center. The public is encouraged to attend and participate.
For more information or to volunteer, visit www.beecitylosalamos.org or contact Bee City Coordinator Britton Donharl at coordinator@beecitylosalamos.org.
About Bee City USA
Bee City USA is an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation that provides a framework for communities to support pollinators. Affiliates commit to creating and maintaining pollinator-friendly habitats, raising awareness about the importance of pollinators, and reducing pesticide use.