Staff Writer
SALEM — The city parks department is exploring the idea of becoming a Bee City USA to promote pollinator gardens and possibly provide educational programs about bees.
City Parks Commission members want to know more, though, about the benefits of being a Bee City USA.
Commission Chair John Panezott said he knows the importance of bees, but if the commission is going to pay an annual registration fee of $200, “tell me what I’m going to get from them for my $200.”
Parks Director Shane Franks said two or three people approached him about the idea of Bee City USA, which is along the same lines as Tree City USA but with bees. He approached Salem Mayor John Berlin to see if there would be any issue with it and he said there wouldn’t be.