WEST LINN, Ore. (KOIN) — Bees have new friends in West Linn.
West Linn is now a Bee City USA, one of 80 cities nationwide that worked to improve their landscape for pollinators.
The unanimous vote by the West Linn City Council was the result of months of work between the West Linn Parks and Recreation Department and the Xerces Society.
Scott Black, the Xerces Society executive director and a resident of West Linn, said he was excited the city followed through.
“The Parks department has already been working with the Xerces Society and other partners to plant habitats, as have schools and individuals,” Black said in a statement. “Now that we are a Bee City USA, the important message of planting flowers and avoiding pesticides can reach even more residents. Together we can make West Linn a better place for pollinators, and for us.”
Pollinator gardens in West Linn are at Cedaroak and Trillium Creek Primary Schools, Marylhurst Park, and Mary S. Young Park. Officials said more are coming.
The Portland-based Xerces Society is a non-profit designed to help pollinators, like bees, live and thrive. They work with communities across the country to improve habitats and diminish insecticides.
West Linn City Mayor Russ Axelrod said, “I’m so proud to have West Linn recognized as a Bee City and want to thank our Parks staff, and many key residents that encouraged and supported this designation.”
