Susquehanna University
IN-49: Innovation C

Being recognized by Bee Campus USA as the first campus in PA is only the beginning to SU's work around bees and other pollinators. The SU Beekeeping Club, overseen by a professor in Earth and Environmental Sciences, provides a hands-on learning opportunity for our students. The students learn how to manage the 5 bee hives located at the Center for Environmental Education and Research (CEER) property which includes monitoring the bees' health, winterizing the hives, collecting honey and selling it, and collecting swarms when they show up to increase our colonies. The CEER property is 87 acres which does not use any regular chemical interventions to protect he pollinators. The CEER is also the location of the campus garden and a newly installed riparian buffer project where we planted 600 trees which include fruit and nut trees, as well as 2000 live stakes (tree cuttings). The garden and buffer project provide food for the campus bee hives. Additionally, a wildflower project undertaken by our executive vice president each year provides a splash of color on campus and in the community and provides yet another source of food for pollinators. The Beekeeping Club and the Office of Sustainability provide educational opportunities to spread knowledge about pollinators and the challenges they are facing. This includes tabling at our local summer farmer's market, on-campus tabling, and being a part of our annual Sustainable Food Fair.