Bee Habitats Proposed for Berkeley Parks

If you thought Berkeley was buzzing with eco-activity before, just wait until Tuesday.

The City Council is poised to transform all the city's parks and open spaces into habitats for bees. If the council approves the resolution, all future landscaping would be "pollinator-friendly" flowering native plants intended to attract bees, bats, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, beetles and flies.

"I think it's fantastic. This is exactly what we're trying to promote," said Jaime Pawelek, a researcher in urban bee ecology at UC Berkeley's Department of Environmental Science Policy and Management. "The Bay Area is a leader in the environmental movement - hopefully the rest of the country will follow this."

But those who like to eat at the parks or roll in the grass, such as young kids, aren't so sure. After all, more bees means more bee stings.

"Maybe they could put the bees in parks where kids never go," said Charles Cobb, who was playing with his two children at Codornices Park last week. "It seems like a good idea, but I'd worry about having them too close."

The city's proposing that the bee landscaping be planted at least 30 feet from children's play areas, barbecues, garbage cans and picnic tables. Staff would also post signs in the parks explaining the importance of bee habitats.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle