Bee Campus USA

University of Idaho is a proud affiliate of Bee Campus USA, a certification awarded by the Xerces Society that serves to recognize university campuses that work to conserve native pollinator species by increasing native plantings in landscaping, providing nesting sites and reducing the use of pesticides.

As a member, we commit to creating and enhancing native pollinator habitat through our landscaping choices, service-learning and educational opportunities.

Native Pollinators of the Palouse Region

Managing Habitat for At-Risk Species

U of I is committed to enhancing biodiversity and supporting species of concern through ecologically informed landscaping and habitat restoration projects. Several initiatives across campus directly benefit species the IUCN, ESA or state of Idaho deems at risk, including Bombus occidentalis (western bumblebee), Bombus suckleyi (Suckley’s cuckoo bumblebee), Danaus plexippus (monarch butterfly), Myotis lucifugus (little brown bat) and Coccyzus americanus (yellow-billed cuckoo).

The Paradise Creek Restoration Project, a collaborative effort with multiple agencies, realigned Paradise Creek to its historic channel, creating a thriving riparian corridor. Nearly 19,000 native trees and shrubs were planted, stabilizing creek banks, improving water quality and providing essential habitat for avian and pollinator species. While yellow-billed cuckoos have only been sporadically observed in Latah County, the restored riparian zone offers suitable habitat, with native vegetation supporting potential nesting and foraging opportunities. The growth and retention of mature trees and woodland patches near riparian corridors also benefits the little brown bat by providing suitable roosting sites and foraging grounds.

As a Bee Campus USA-certified institution, U of I is dedicated to creating and maintaining healthy pollinator habitats. This commitment includes planting native, pollinator-friendly species, reducing pesticide use and providing educational opportunities for students and the community. Informational signage is placed throughout campus to highlight the importance of pollinators, the native plants that support them and the role of habitat conservation in sustaining biodiversity.

For pollinators, our campus landscaping incorporates a diverse selection of native and pollinator-friendly plant species documented as critical forage for the western bumblebee and Suckley’s cuckoo bumblebee. These include genera such as Agastache, Penstemon, Solidago, Trifolium and Rubus, among others. Moving forward, all native plantings on campus will prioritize species known to support these two bumblebees, ensuring a continuous supply of nectar and pollen resources throughout the growing season. Additionally, our native landscapes support the monarch by including Asclepias species (milkweed), which serve as the sole larval host plant for the butterfly.

Through ongoing habitat restoration, sustainable landscaping practices and a targeted effort to support native pollinators, U of I is actively fostering an environment that supports regional biodiversity and contributes to the conservation of species of concern.

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