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Contact Information

Contact: Andy Smolen
Sustainability, Forestry,
Parkways and Facilities Director
Village of Franklin Park
Office - 847-671-8267

Members:

MaryEllen Smolen, Secretary
Katarina Modrich
Monika Suryovich

Mission statement of the Bee Committee:

“The Franklin Park Bee Committee is a group of volunteer residents with the mission to promote the long-term benefits pollinators provide our planet. The Bee Committee aims to provide educational resources and pollinator advocacy to our community and neighboring communities, promoting healthy native plant habitats free to nearly free of pesticides”

Bee Committee

Franklin Park is a Bee City USA

The Village of Franklin Park has been certified as a Bee City USA affiliate, joining other cities in working to improve the environment for pollinators.

Research has shown that up to 40% of pollinator species on earth are at risk of extinction because of habitat loss, pesticide use, and climate disruption. The Village recognizes the importance of sustaining pollinators and is working to make Franklin Park more pollinator friendly.

More Info:Franklin_Park_Becomes_An_Affiliate_of_Bee_City_USA

Photo: Larry Zucker

VOFP BEE CITY ordinance: Ordinance 7-13-21

WHAT IS A BEE CITY? https://beecityusa.org/about/

LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIVE BEES AND POLLINATORS:

https://xerces.org/sites/default/files/publications/18-014.pdf

Photo: Larry Zucker

With these plants in your yard, you'll bring your garden to life and create a pollinator paradise where bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects can thrive!
Midwest native plants for pollinators and beneficial insects

LEARN MORE ABOUT NATIVE ILLINOIS PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS:

https://westcook.wildones.org/
https://monarchjointventure.org/

INFORMATIVE VIDEOS ABOUT THE BENEFITS OF NATIVE BEES AND INSECTS:

Douglas Tallamy video ‘Sustainable Landscaping’: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTbPNwNIoLs

Douglas Tallamy video: Bringing Nature Home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEhl2ZwzCr4

Native Bumble Bees in Your Yard Webinar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PnZ44gdRbuQ

Photo: Larry Zucker

Want to learn about pollinators? Check out this series of videos to learn about saving pollinators, and protecting endangered species.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist

Protecting pollinators, read about why we should care: Protecting pollinators

What are neonicotinoids and what do they do? Neonicotinoids