Bee City
Thinking globally and acting locally, Bee City USA provides a framework for communities to work together to conserve native pollinators by increasing the abundance of native plants, providing nest sites, and reducing the use of pesticides. On May 7, 2015, Hendersonville passed a resolution to become a Bee City USA affiliate, making the City the 7th Bee City USA in the Nation.
For more information on City projects and policies pertaining to pollinator habitat and sustainability, click here.
Ongoing Bee City USA - Hendersonville Projects & Resources
Pollinator Trail
Plan your own pollinator-friendly adventure! This ongoing self-guided trail is your guide to eco-friendly gardens, green spaces, farms, and other local destinations that highlight the importance of bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Don’t miss the landmark pollinator mural painted on the exterior walls of Hands On! Children’s Museum in the heart of downtown Hendersonville or the Hendo Beeline sidewalk mural starting at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Maple Street. Stretching over 800 feet, this yellow honeycomb road features nearly 30 plants that support pollinators. It was painted by over 200 volunteers as part of the new Downtown Art Route in late 2021!
Oklawaha Greenway Pollinator Site
The Oklawaha Greenway Pollinator Site sits along 3.5 miles of the fully paved Oklawaha Greenway which winds through wetlands, meadows, and forests to connect four parks and is easily accessible from five convenient parking areas. Currently, the pollinator site is under construction with sunflowers and milkweed being planted for the 2023 summer season.
Native Plant Species List and Suppliers
Interested in planting a pollinator garden? Check out our Native Species List and regional and local suppliers of native plants.
Upcoming Events
Pollinator Week is an annual event celebrated internationally in support of pollinator health. It’s a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. The great thing about Pollinator Week is that you can celebrate and get involved any way you like! Popular events include planting habitat for pollinators, hosting pollinator walks or garden tours, holding plant sales, presenting online or in-person workshops, offering honey tastings or dinners featuring pollinator-dependent ingredients, holding educational programs for children, etc.
Pollinator Walk-n-Talk Fridays
June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23 and June 30, 10am
Presented by Bullington Gardens
Location: 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Meet at the information kiosk, near the front of the main (brick) house. Stroll through the pollinator trail, then stay to explore the woodland nature trail, Sally’s Garden, horticultural therapy gardens, as well as the Fairy Trail. Suitable for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult. Visit https://www.bullingtongardens.org/pollinator-events-education for more information.
Bountiful Harvest Community Garden Pollinator Plant Sale
Saturday, June 3, 10am – 2pm
Presented by Bountiful Harvest Community Garden
Location: Jackson Park, Hendersonville, across from Ballfield #2
Cost: no admission charge; no registration required
Honey Tasting and Live Honey Bees
Saturday, June 3, 8am – 1pm
Presented by HoneyBee Bliss, Randy and Pam Knowles.
Location: Hendersonville Farmers Market at the Historic Train Depot, 650 Maple Street
Cost: no charge; no registration required
At this vendor’s booth, taste pure, raw, local honey, and safely observe a live honey bee hive.
Lewis Creek Preserve Nature Walk
Wednesday, June 7, 9am – 11am
Presented by MountainTrue and Conserving Carolina
Location: Edneyville Community Center, 15 Ida Rogers Drive, Edneyville
Cost: no charge; registration required at https://mountaintrue.org/event/lewis-creek-preserve-nature-walk-in-hendersonville-nc-6-7-23/
Bob Gale, MountainTrue’s Ecologist & Public Lands Director, will lead a slow hike along the nature trail and boardwalk, interpreting plant life, wildflowers, a rare Southern Appalachian Bog ecosystem, and the value of pollinators on this property. From the community center parking lot, the group will go to Lewis Creek Preserve trailhead a short distance away. Suitable for all ages; children must be accompanied by an adult.
Native Plant Identification Walk
Saturday, June 10, 9am
Presented by Rachel Meriwether and Friends of the Oklawaha Greenway
Location: Patton Park, 1730 Asheville Hwy., Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Meet at the pavilion next to the basketball courts. Rachel will lead a pleasant walk on the Oklawaha Greenway suitable for all ages, identifying plants along the way. Water, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes are recommended. For more information visit OkGr-Events- (friendsofoklawaha.org)
Returning a Meadow to Pollinators
Saturday, June 10, 9am – 4pm
Presented by Echo Hill Farm
Location: Echo Hill Farm, 529 Pace Rd., Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Explore the emerging pollinator meadow reconstruction, looking for native plants and identifying invasives with input from Snow Creek Landscaping. Appropriate for all ages. Visit https://www.facebook.com/echohillfarmnc for more information
Garden Club
Monday, June 12, 4– 5pm
Presented by Henderson County Public Library
Location: Henderson County Public Library, 301 N. Washington Street, Hendersonville
Cost: no charge; no registration required
This is a special Garden Club event for families and children grades K – 5. Play Pollinator Jeopardy and make pollinator-friendly waterers for the library gardens.
Visit https://hendersonpl.libcal.com/event/10515952 for more information.
Green River Bee Company Installation Event
Saturday, June 17, 2023
9:00 AM 1:00 PM
Presented by: Jon Gleman - Green River Bee Company
Installation of a Trailhead, Pollinator Habitats and an Educational Board at Bullington Gardens, 95 Upper Red Oak Trail, Hendersonville, NC . We will have a Q & A session during each install. Green River Bee Company Events.
Audience Served: All Ages
Cost: Free
Registration: None Required
Walnut Creek Preserve Speaker Series – Making Your Garden a True Home for Pollinators
June 24 @ 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. Free.
Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve
Speaker: Kim Bailey, avid wildlife habitat gardener, environmental educator, and owner of Milkweed Meadows Farm
Explore the life cycles and habitat needs of our native bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds while learning to create a garden that’s not just friendly to pollinators, but irresistible! Kim Bailey (AKA nectar bartender and pollinator chef at Milkweed Meadows Farm) will share secret ingredients and recipes for serving up a bountiful buffet from spring through fall. The key is not just providing nectar-producing plants to attract adult pollinators who will fly by “the bar” for a quick sip then move along. You also want to offer a kids’ menu to entice pollinators to stick around and make your garden their home. This means growing critical “baby food” plants (such as milkweed!) and flowers with “carryout pollen” to cater to picky eaters!
**Kim will be bringing a selection of native plants to for sale following the presentation!
In order to make this an enjoyable and educational experience for participants, space is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required.
*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group). Thank you.
Contact Pam Torlina, pam@conservingcarolina.org with questions or for more information.
Bee Wise
Saturday, June 24, 10am – 2pm
Presented by Caregivers of Mother Earth and Horse Shoe Gap Village
Location: Horse Shoe Gap Village, 3636 Brevard Rd., Horse Shoe
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Local author Elle Travis shares stories from her children’s books, including Bee Wise. A scavenger hunt with prizes, potted pollinator flowers for sale, an educational bee experience by a local honeybee expert, and much more will be offered.
Nature Walk and Talk: Bees and Beekeeping
Saturday, June 24, 10 – 11:30am
Presented by The Park at Flat Rock
Location: The Park at Flat Rock, 55 Highland Golf Drive, Flat Rock
Cost: no charge; no registration required
Park volunteer and beekeeper Will Garvey will discuss how the park supports bees, and how bees support the park … and how the park’s wildflower meadow, pollinator garden, native bees, and beehives work together to create healthy ecosystems. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
Ways to Get Involved with Pollinators:
