Bee City USA

The national nonprofit organization Bee City USA has recognized Hillsborough's work to reverse pollinator declines. As a designated Bee City, the town works to help raise awareness of the role pollinators play in sustaining more than 75% of the world’s plant species and to help expand pollinator-friendly practices and environments in town. The Hillsborough Garden Club, which suggested that the town seek Bee City USA status, works in partnership with the town Public Space and Sustainability Division and Tree Board on developing the program and educational materials. Tree Board membership is listed below.
For more information, contact Public Space and Sustainability Manager Stephanie Trueblood by email or by phone at 919-296-9481.
The town has undertaken several initiatives to reverse pollinator declines. These include:
- Operating an information booth with the Orange County Beekeepers Association at the town's Last Fridays downtown arts event.
- Working with the Orange County Master Gardener Program of the N.C. Cooperative Extension Orange County Center to facilitate installation of a pollinator garden at Gold Park.
- Partnering with area organizations to commission and maintain a bee hotel at the Gold Park pollinator garden.
- Working with the Orange County Master Gardener Program to facilitate monthly workdays at the Gold Park pollinator garden spring through fall.
- Training Hillsborough Tree Board members in pollinator garden installation and maintenance and visiting a pollinator garden at Chatham Mills in Pittsboro.
- Installing and maintaining a pollinator garden at Cates Creek Park.
- Planting pollinator-friendly species in downtown planters and parking lot islands.
The town's most recent annual report on its pollinator-friendly activities is available below.
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Sharon Billings
- Term expires July 30, 2024
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Bridget Booher
- Term expires Feb. 28, 2025
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Casey Collins — chair
- Term expires Sept. 30, 2023
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Mixon Nelson
- Term expires Feb. 28, 2025
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Linda Paynter
- Term expires July 30, 2024
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Jon Simpson
- Term expires Sept. 30, 2026
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Gregory Yavelak
- Term expires Oct. 31, 2023
105 E. Corbin St
Agendas and meeting documents for appointed boards are generally added a few days prior to the meeting. Minutes for appointed boards are available through the town's online archive.
The Town of Hillsborough does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. See the Americans with Disabilities Act Policy webpage for more information.