Council approves Bee City USA memorandum; parks staff, garden clubs to lead outreach

Charlottesville City Council voted on a single reading to authorize staff to sign a memorandum of understanding with Bee City USA and the Xerces Society, joining an initiative that recognizes communities for pollinator‑friendly practices.

Parks and trails planner Chris Gencic said the program — similar to the city’s long‑running Tree City USA participation — rewards communities that reduce pesticide use, expand native plantings and align policies to protect bees and other pollinators. Gencic told council, “The things that are in the request of the memorandum of understanding are things that we already mostly do,” and said the parks department will provide a staff representative to an outside advisory group run by local volunteers.

A garden‑club representative said three local garden clubs will help underwrite modest costs and handle outreach. The council motion authorized city staff to sign the MOU with Xerces and to participate in the program’s committees; staff said participation is voluntary, nonbinding and intended as an educational and stewardship partnership rather than a new regulatory regime.

Ending: Councilors approved the resolution on a single reading and agreed to schedule a ceremonial signing with local volunteers and gardeners.