Interest in this project began in October 2017, at the AASHE Student Summit. Several residents of the Sustainability Living-Learning Community attended a workshop at this summit about the Bee Campus USA movement. These students were inspired by the progress of other universities and decided to start this project on our own campus. From that point on, the Sustainability LLC, Facilities & Services, Red Bison Ecological Restoration (RSO), and the Pollinatarium have collaborated to ensure the success of this project.  

Several actions must be done in order to maintain the Bee Campus USA certification, including: 

1. Establish a standing Bee Campus USA committee. 
2. Create and enhance pollinator habitat on campus by increasing the abundance of native plants and providing nest sites. 
3. Reduce the use of pesticides. 
4. Offer courses or continuing education opportunities that incorporate pollinator conservation. 
5. Offer service-learning projects to enhance pollinator habitat. 
6. Display signage focused on pollinator conservation. 
7. Maintain an online presence for Bee Campus USA activities. 
8. Annually apply for renewal and report on the previous year’s activities. 

By actively protecting local pollinators, the Bee Campus USA certification is continuously bringing benefits to the community, including: 

1. Ensure the survival of vital animal species including bees and other pollinators crucial to the health of our environment. 
2. Build community locally and nationally through bringing your campus together around a positive, shared cause and connect with communities across the country that have made the same commitment. 
3. Improve local food production and raise community awareness of how our food grows. 
4. Support small, local businesses including native plant nurseries and pollinator-friendly landscaping. 
5. Address pest problems with fewer pesticides using integrated pest management. 
6. Heighten awareness of biological diversity.