Pollinator Friendly Campus

MSU Pollinator Resources

Through the Michigan Pollinator Initiative, MSU is working to develop a coordinated research, education, extension, and policy driven effort to address priority issues related to pollinators and pollination in Michigan. The University works with partners around the state in pursuit of research-based solutions for beekeepers, growers, land managers, and policy makers to promote economic vitality and ecological stability.

The MSU Pollinator Performance Center serves as a hub for teaching, research and outreach focused on pollinators and their connection to agricultural systems and the environment.

MSU offers the free Pollinator Champions course for those interested in learning more about pollinators. This self-paced online course is packed full of videos, articles, and fun activities to guide you through the amazing world of pollinators, pollination and stewardship. 

Fuel for pollinators is essential for their success.  MSU provides a native plant search tool to select native plants based on region, soil moisture, amount of sunlight and its attractiveness to pollinators and natural enemies.  The regional plant section helps to determine what plants are suitable for the various regions in Michigan.

MSU Extension promotes pollinator educational events and materials throughout the state of Michigan.  Including the MSU Extension - Integrated Pest Managementt program, which collaborates with faculty and Extension educators to develop diverse information serving growers of many crops, the landscape/turf “green” industry, and those looking for home and garden pest solutions.

Bee Campus USA, an initiative of the Xerxes Society for Invertebrate Conservation, promotes communities to come together to provide healthy habitats for pollinator species.  By creating healthy habitats MSU is charged with planting a variety of native plants, provide nesting sites, and continue to find ways to eliminate harmful pesticides. 

 

Explore the Gardens of MSU

The gardens that blanket Michigan State University's 5,200 acre campus are a special part of the Spartan experience. They are not just beautiful spaces to relax for the public and our campus community, but are a key component of a sustainable university, enhancing biodiversity and providing habitat for pollinators. Serving as a living learning laboratory, the gardens also provide ample opportunities to engage students and the public in experiential learning, while conducting cutting edge research to support horticultural and agricultural industries.

• MSU Pollinator Gardens
  There are many pollinator-friendly gardens around campus to visit freely, and MSU is working to create a pollinator corridor along the Red Cedar River. In 2020, a pollinator garden was planted along the river near Shaw Hall. The student club, Sustainable Spartans, worked with IPF and the Office of Sustainability to establish another pollinator garden nearby in fall 2021. This isn’t the first student project to support pollinators; find another student-led pollinator garden on the northwest corner of Wells Hall, planted by RISE students in 2017. In addition, Fisheries and Wildlife Club is helping restore native habitat that is pollinator friendly on campus in collaboration with IPF and the Plant Biology Department. MSU hosts volunteer days at campus pollinators gardens every year, including Spartan Days of Service.
• W.J. Beal Botanical Garden
  The W.J. Beal Botanical Garden, established in 1873 by Professor William James Beal, is the oldest continuously operated university botanical garden of its kind in the United States. With more than 5,000 different kinds of plants, this garden serves as a living laboratory for education, research, and outreach. The garden is open at all times throughout the year without an admission charge.
• Amien and Florence Center Trial Gardens (MSU Horticulture Gardens)
  The Trial Garden, part of the MSU Horticulture Gardens, grows and evaluates hundreds of new varieties each year including annual, perennials, and vegetables. The garden is open without an admission charge.
• Judith DeLapa Perennial Garden (MSU Horticulture Gardens)
  The Judith Delapa Perennial Garden features the colors, textures and forms of flowering and nonflowering herbaceous perennials, bulbs and ornamental grasses. Ten island beds totaling 6,500 square feet informally display a multitude of diverse perennials. This garden is part of the MSU Horticulture Gardens and the garden is open without an admission charge.
• MSU 4-H Children's Garden (MSU Horticulture Gardens)
  Expose your child to the enchanting world of the 4-H Children's Garden, part of the MSU Horticulture Gardens. A special place created just for children and the young at heart, the garden features over 56 theme areas. The garden is a perfect place to learn about horticulture, as it allows hands-on exploration along with several interactive activities. Admission is free
• Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum (MSU Horticulture Gardens)
  The Clarence E. Lewis Landscape Arboretum, part of the MSU Horticulture Gardens, is an instructional arboretum for students interested in landscape development. The site has its beginnings as the old campus nursery and as a result many remaining specimen trees lend a mature appearance to much of the arboretum. The arboretum continues to grow, providing learning opportunities for students, industry professionals, gardeners, and community members. Within the arboretum are over 15 featured garden areas, including the Kathleen and Milton Muelder Japanese Garden and the Yvonne V. Wilson Native Plant Garden. The arboretum is open all year, dawn to dusk. Admission is free.
• Radiology Healing Gardens
  Based on the vision of Dr. James Potchen, the Radiology Healing Gardens were established in 2000 to help meet the wellness needs of our community. The Radiology facility is surrounded by lovely gardens, ponds and waterfalls. The serenity of the landscape is the epitome of a holistic approach to patient healing and provides a calming space for visitors, students and employees. This hidden gem is worth a special trip. Admission is free
• 1855 Place Community Garden
  The 1855 Place Community Garden was established by students for residents of the 1855 Place Apartments. The garden cultivates individual growth and neighborhood unity while also offering youth gardening education. The community garden plays an important role in providing spaces for residents to grow their own food, increasing their access to healthy foods. It also promotes a sense of community belonging and an opportunity for residents to be physically active.
• MSU Rain Gardens
  MSU is also home to rain gardens, which help the university manage stormwater. Rain gardens have shallow surface depressions and are planted with native vegetation to capture and treat stormwater runoff from rooftops, streets, and parking lots. Rain gardens reduce the volume and rate of runoff while also provide pollutant removal and habitat benefits. See rain gardens freely in action by Erickson Hall, at Minskoff Pavilion, and at the Surplus Store and Recycling Center.
• MSU Student Organic Farm
  The MSU Student Organic Farm is a 15-acre, certified organic year-round teaching and production farm. Their markets include 42-week CSA, online shop, and sales to MSU dining halls and other wholesale outlets. They use passive solar greenhouses (hoophouses) to produce and distribute fresh produce all year long. The farm is located south of MSU's main campus.
• Tollgate Farm and Education Center (Novi, MI)
  MSU Tollgate Farm provides non-formal learning for children, families, and adults, offering the unique opportunity to experience agriculture hands-on in an urban environment. The farm has nearly twenty specifically planned and maintained garden sites ranging from the functional Nursery area to the delightful Children’s Garden. MSU Tollgate Farm gardens are free and open to the public for self guided tours Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to dark.  The site is closed on Sundays and Holidays.
• W.K. Kellogg Bird Sanctuary (Augusta, MI)
  The Native Gardens at the Kellogg Bird Sanctuary are a set of beautiful botanical gardens which feature unique and attractive native plants from around Michigan. With educational signs and over 75 species of native plants, the gardens demonstrate the many benefits and landscaping possibilities offered by Michigan plants.
• Hidden Lake Gardens (Tipton, MI)
  Hidden Lake Gardens contains a conservatory, six miles of paved roads, 10 miles of hiking trails and 755 acres of plants, including three prominent collections: the Benedict Hosta Hillside, which serves as the Michigan Hosta Society’s reference garden; the McCready Bonsai Courtyard; and the world-renowned Harper Collection of Dwarf and Rare Conifers.

 

MSU Bee Campus USA Committee

Matthew Bailey, Landscape Services, Chair 
Lisa Randolph-Stukey, Office of Sustainability, Secretary
Yun Cao, Landscape Services
Ana Heck, MSU Extension
Rufus Issacs, Entomology
Meghan Milbrath, MSU Extension
Carolyn Miller, Beal Garden
Jerry Wahl, Landscape Services