The City of Savannah has joined the national network of Bee City USA communities, marking a step forward in its commitment to sustainability and urban biodiversity. This new designation is part of the city’s ongoing environmental stewardship efforts.
To celebrate this achievement, Bee City Savannah will host its first Pollinator Palooza. The event aligns with National Pollinator Week, which takes place from June 16 to June 22, 2025. The week-long activities will culminate in a free community festival on Saturday, June 21, at Daffin Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Pollinator Palooza will offer educational workshops, garden installations, pollinator-themed menus at local eateries, youth-focused activities, public art displays, and a community science initiative. These events aim to emphasize the essential role pollinators play in maintaining local ecosystems.
Savannah’s collaboration with various partners includes the Foster Beelief Foundation and BEEnevolent led by Sade Shofidiya. Additional community partners are Savannah Bee Company, Fruitful Futures, Common Thread, Flora & Fauna, Freedom Fellowship Church, The Beach Institute, Keevy’s Beevies, and Good Clean Fun.
The city has established the Savannah Pollinator Preservation Committee as the facilitating body for Bee City Savannah. Residents are encouraged to participate by attending meetings and volunteering in support of pollinator-friendly initiatives across Savannah.
Bee City USA is an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation that provides a framework for municipalities to enhance pollinator habitats through native plantings and pesticide reduction while engaging the community. In 2023 alone, U.S. beekeepers reported nearly a 48% loss of managed honeybee colonies highlighting the need for coordinated action to protect these vital species.
