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This Advisory was recently shared with members of the media:

Media Advisory: For Immediate Release 9/28/16
Philadelphia Officially Declared a Bee Friendly City
City Council Passes Resolution 160791

WHAT:
On September 15th, Councilman Curtis Jones from the 4th District introduced a resolution declaring the City of Philadelphia to be a Bee Friendly City. The Resolution was passed on September 22nd.
BACKGROUND:
The Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild partnered with Councilman Curtis Jones to put forth this resolution. The resolution underscores the mission of the Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild: to encourage and promote urban beekeeping and to raise awareness of the importance of bees to our environment. The Guilds president, Don Shump, read the proposed resolution to all attendees of the 7th Annual Philadelphia Honey Festival held earlier this month.

Introduction of the Resolution to City Council was a capstone for prior events: National Honeybee Awareness Day, August 20, 2016 and the celebration of National Honey Month in September.

The Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild thanks Councilman Jones for introducing this legislation. The Guild will build on the support this Resolution provides and continue to educate our fellow Philadelphians about the numerous bee species and their importance to our urban environment.

EXCERPTS OF THE RESOLUTION:
WHEREAS, Honeybees are effective pollinators of a large variety of plants, and are often used extensively for commercial pollination of crops and other plants; and
WHEREAS, Honeybees pollination of flowers are vital to the maintenance and improvement of Philadelphias vibrant ecological landscape; and
WHEREAS, Honeybees have succumbed to a phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, which caused a severe drop in the number of healthy honeybee colonies that can serve as pollinators; and
WHEREAS, The Philadelphia Honey Festival is held annually to raise awareness about the importance of honeybees to our environment, our food supply and our economy, and to promote urban beekeeping and gardening; and
WHEREAS, The Council of the City of Philadelphia is always proud to recognize those organizations which contribute to the well-being of our communities and ultimately to all the citizens of this great City; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Declares Philadelphia to be a Bee Friendly City that supports all of our numerous bee species.

FURTHER INFORMATION:
Complete Resolution: https://phila.legistar.com/Legislation.aspx
Philadelphia Beekeepers Guild: www.phillybeekeepers.org and info@phillybeekeepers.org
Philadelphia Honey Festival www.phillyhoneyfest.com
Councilman Curtis Jones: City Hall, Room 404, Phone: 215-686-3416

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