Randolph Is A 'Bee City': What That Means & How Residents Can Help

RANDOLPH, NJ — Randolph is reminding residents that it's officially a "Bee City" — and asking them to do their part for the pollinators that keep the township's gardens, parks and natural spaces thriving.

More than 90 percent of New Jersey's native plants rely on pollinators such as bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects, the township said. But habitat loss and pesticide use have contributed to significant declines in pollinator populations.

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As a Bee City USA affiliate, Randolph has committed to protecting and supporting pollinators that play a vital role in the local ecosystem. Bee City USA is an initiative of The Xerces Society, a national invertebrate conservation nonprofit, and affiliates renew their commitment through an annual application and report. The Randolph Township Council voted to pursue the designation in 2024.

But protecting pollinators isn't just a municipal effort, the township said — residents can help with a few simple actions:

• Plant native flowers and plants

• Reduce or avoid unnecessary pesticide use

• Support and preserve pollinator habitats

"Small actions can make a big difference for the pollinators that help our gardens, parks, and natural spaces thrive," the township said in its announcement.

More information about pollinator habitats is available through the NJDEP at dep.nj.gov/njfw/conservation/pollinators, and a full list of Bee City USA affiliates can be found at beecityusa.org.

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