DSU Earns Bee Campus USA Designation

July 8, 2026

MADISON, S.D. - Dakota State University has earned designation as a Bee Campus USA affiliate, joining a national network of colleges and universities committed to supporting pollinators through habitat creation, education, and community engagement.

Bee Campus USA recognizes institutions that demonstrate a commitment to creating and maintaining environments that support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators through sustainable practices and campus-wide involvement.

The designation is the result of a student-led effort spearheaded by DSU's chapter of Tri-Beta, the Biology Honor Society. Students worked alongside faculty and staff to establish a Bee Campus committee, develop a pollinator conservation plan, and create opportunities for education and outreach.

One of the first major projects associated with the initiative was the establishment of a pollinator garden near the Science Center. The garden serves as both a habitat for pollinators and a hands-on learning space for students studying biology, environmental science, and sustainability.

"In our agricultural community, pollinators are essential for crop production. This new Bee Campus affiliation and the corresponding outreach events will help highlight the importance of our local pollinators," said Dr. Andrew Sathoff, chair of the Math and Science Department and director of undergraduate research at DSU. "The Bee Campus ideals align well with the aspirations of the DSU students to have a more sustainable campus. I believe that the Bee Campus affiliation will be a catalyst that triggers DSU's community to transform our campus into a safe haven for pollinators."

Funding for the Bee Campus USA application and related projects was secured through community partnerships and student leadership. Tri-Beta students earned funding from the American Red Cross after successfully organizing a blood drive during the spring semester and surpassing the goal of collecting at least 30 units of blood. Additional support from the Madison Rotary Club helped fund supplies for the pollinator garden and made the Bee Campus USA application possible.

The Bee Campus USA designation reflects DSU's ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Campus efforts will focus on increasing the presence of native plants, expanding pollinator-friendly habitats, reducing pesticide use when appropriate, and engaging students and community members in conservation activities.

The pollinator garden has already become a collaborative project that brings together students, faculty, and staff. Through future outreach events and educational programming, DSU plans to strengthen connections between the university and the Madison community while promoting awareness of the important role native pollinators play in healthy ecosystems.

Bee Campus USA is an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitats.

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