The buzz about bee campuses: Student thoughts regarding pollinator conservation

Authors: Penn, Hannah; PENN, JERROD - Louisiana State University; HAGAN, MACY - University Of Kentucky; HU, WUYANG - The Ohio State University

Submitted to: American Entomologist
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/12/2020
Publication Date: 12/11/2020
Citation: Penn, H., Penn, J.M., Hagan, M., Hu, W. 2020. The buzz about bee campuses: Student thoughts regarding pollinator conservation. American Entomologist. 66(4):54-61. https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmaa055.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/ae/tmaa055

Interpretive Summary: Many universities are currently engaged in promoting pollinator conservation as part of their sustainability initiatives such as recycling and water conservation. Little prior work has been done to establish student knowledge of pollinators (such as honey bees) and how they prioritize pollinator conservation relative to other sustainability initiatives on university campuses. To find out university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and support for pollinator conservation (especially Xerces’ Society Bee Campus USA), we conducted a short survey at three public US universities. In general, students did not have a large knowledge base of pollinators. Students were generally interested in supporting honey bee as well as native pollinator conservation through installing pollinator gardens. Finally, the student prioritized pollinator conservation similarly to other on-campus efforts.

Technical Abstract: Although many universities are currently engaged in promoting pollinator conservation as part of their sustainability initiatives, little is known about what students know and prioritize about pollinator conservation relative to other popular on-campus sustainability initiatives. To explore university students’ knowledge, attitudes, and support for pollinator conservation particularly in relation to aspects of the popular Xerces’ Society Bee Campus USA, we conducted an in-person survey at three public US universities. Students were generally interested in supporting honey bee as well as native pollinator conservation through habitat installation. Similar to previous surveys of the general public’s pollinator knowledge, university students’ knowledge of pollinators was lacking. However, pollinator conservation was considered by students to be as important as other common on-campus sustainability initiatives such as recycling and locally/sustainably-sourced food.