DENTON (UNT), Texas – The University of North Texas has become the first university in the state of Texas to be named a Bee Campus USA. Bee Campus USA is a sustainability organization focused on supporting pollinator species populations, which are declining rapidly across the globe.

"I am proud of UNT's Bee Campus USA Certification, because it is recognition for how passionate UNT students are about sustainability," said Gary Cocke, UNT sustainability coordinator.

UNT students have been leading the effort to create a bee-friendly campus. More than 80 students recently revitalized the Ladybird Johnson Memorial Wildflower Garden near Apogee Stadium by sowing wildflower seeds, transplanting perennials and building a rock border. Students also are designing a community garden for UNT's main campus and a pollinator space that will be located at UNT's Discovery Park campus with resources from the UNT We Mean Green Fund.

As a Bee Campus USA, UNT will work to ensure that campus greenspaces are friendly to pollinators, including honey bees and bumblebees. Faculty and staff will host campus events to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, will sponsor student service-learning projects and more.

For more information visit http://www.beecityusa.org/.