MUSC certified as Bee Campus USA affiliate
June 7, 2016
Bee Campus USA has announced that the Medical University of South Carolina is one of 12 educational institutions across the nation to be certified as an affiliate of the Bee Campus USA program. The program was created in 2015 and designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators.
MUSC is no stranger to finding innovative ways to improve the health of the communities it serves through good environmental stewardship. “The Bee Campus USA designation is an important way MUSC is showing that we are working toward being a sustainable university. Pollinators and people live within the same ecosystem. What is good for pollinators is good for people and vice versa”, said Carmen Ketron, MUSC Farm Educator.
Recent news coverage around the world has reported the current plight of bees and the effect their declining numbers has on the health of the environment, as well as humans’ continued ability to produce healthy foods.
Bee Campus USA director, Phyllis Stiles, said “Imperiled pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of three-fourths of the world’s plant and tree species. MUSC is a stellar example of the influence educational institutions can have on their students and larger communities. Their talented faculty, staff, and students offer an invaluable resource for South Carolina residents in seeking ways to manage ornamental landscapes in more wildlife-friendly ways.”
According to Ketron, MUSC takes pride in minimizing hazards to pollinators by working to eliminate the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, glyphosate herbicide and other potentially dangerous chemical pesticides.
Each certified campus must reapply each year and report on accomplishments from the previous year. For more information, visitbeecampususa.org.
About MUSC
Founded in 1824 in Charleston, The Medical University of South Carolina is the oldest medical school in the South. Today, MUSC continues the tradition of excellence in education, research, and patient care. MUSC educates and trains more than 3,000 students and residents, and has nearly 13,000 employees, including approximately 1,500 faculty members. As the largest non-federal employer in Charleston, the university and its affiliates have collective annual budgets in excess of $2.2 billion. MUSC operates a 750-bed medical center, which includes a nationally recognized Children’s Hospital, the Ashley River Tower (cardiovascular, digestive disease, and surgical oncology), Hollings Cancer Center (one of 68 National Cancer Institute designated centers), Level I Trauma Center and Institute of Psychiatry. For more information on academic information or clinical services, visit musc.edu. For more information on hospital patient services, visit www.muschealth.org.
