Bee City Designation Has Ypsilanti Abuzz
Ypsilanti Township becomes 11th Bee City U.S.A, first in Michigan.
Officials in Ypsilanti hope a new designation will make the area a honeypot for bee enthusiasts. The township is joining ranks with a campaign that advocates sustainable beekeeping practices, called Bee City U.S.A. Beekeeper Jamie Berlin says honeybee populations are on the decline nationwide.
“The winter loss survey for last year shows that 42 percent of colonies died, so there’s a 42 percent loss. We’ve been seeing numbers like that for the last 10 years.”
Jamie Berlin, Beekeeper
Berlin says the drop-off could be connected to the widespread use of neonicotinoid pesticides. She says Ypsilanti’s Bee City certification will help set a foundation for sustainable farming practices that protect honeybees.
