Sandy's Bee City USA Action Group Works to Connect the Community with Nature!
By Amy Lytle, for Sandy Parks and Recreation and Sandy’s Bee City USA Action Group
Sandy's Bee City USA Action Group is helping residents better understand and appreciate the insects, birds, plants, and other wildlife that make up healthy ecosystems. Through educational programs, community events, and conservation campaigns, the group encourages people to recognize that even small actions can make a meaningful difference for the natural world.
Sandy became a Bee City USA affiliate in April 2021 through a City Council resolution. Since then, the city has supported pollinators and other invertebrates through programs such as integrated pest management, the creation and cultivation of pollinator habitats, and community education and outreach.
One important part of Sandy's Bee City USA Action Group’s work is providing opportunities for residents to learn about creatures that are often misunderstood.
Their next event “Creepy Crawly Encounters: Dare to Touch These Tiny Terrors?” is scheduled for Oct. 31 from 12:30-2 p.m. at the Sandy Community and Senior Center Auditorium,38348 Pioneer Blvd. This program offers a hands - on introduction to insects including dubia roaches, silkworms, hornworms, crickets, and more! Participants can see and touch the insects while learning about their importance to healthy ecosystems. By replacing fear with curiosity, the program encourages a greater appreciation for insects and their vital ecological roles.
The group has also partnered with Oregon State University on a variety of educational programs. Most recently, they hosted a free presentation called “Silent Hunters & Hidden Helpers: The Untold Story of Oregon Wasps,” which introduced residents to the important roles wasps play in Oregon environments. The researchers challenged the idea that wasps are simply pests. The OSU researchers also held an “Introduction to Insect Identification Workshop,” in September that taught participants the basics of identifying insects and included a BioBlitz at Bornstedt Park, giving community members an opportunity to practice their skills outdoors.
Sandy's Bee City USA Action Group also connects conservation with our nocturnal world and recently celebrated the September full moon, called the Harvest Moon, at Jonsrud Viewpoint. An Oregon Naturalist taught about the Autumnal Equinox, the history of the Harvest Moon, and other astronomical and nighttime ecology while enjoying the views of a glorious Harvest Moon above Mount Hood.
The group also spearheads two social media campaigns in the Fall: Lights Out Oregon and Leave the Leaves. Lights Out Oregon encourages residents to reduce unnecessary outdoor lighting, particularly during peak bird migration, when artificial light can disorient birds. The Leave the Leaves campaign encourages people to leave fallen leaves and plant stems in their yards and gardens because they provide important winter habitat for bumble bees, butterflies, moths, and other insects. Please consider liking, commenting, or sharing their Facebook and Instagram posts on the City of Sandy’s pages!
Together, these efforts show that conservation can begin with simple choices and community involvement. Through hands-on events, partnerships with scientists, educational campaigns, and opportunities to explore nature, Sandy's Bee City USA Action Group is helping residents understand the value of insects and other wildlife, with the goal of inspiring them to become better stewards of our environment.
Do you want to get involved with Sandy's Bee City USA Action Group? Call (503) 668 5569 or email ALytle@ci.sandy.or.us to learn more, or drop by their next meeting at the Sandy Community Center, 38348 Pioneer Blvd., on Dec. 8, from 6-7 p.m.