The Bee City USA Program recognizes and encourages pollinator conservation efforts in cities, counties, and campuses. The primary benefit of this initiative is to increase the abundance of native plants and pollinator habitat, which will not only support our local pollinators, but it will also improve community character by creating more visually interesting landscapes. Bee City USA provides a framework to increase the abundance of native plants while reducing the use of pesticides.

There are over 200 total Bee City USA affiliates including five other communities in Tennessee. Bee cities make commitments to conserve and enhance native pollinator habitats laid out in a resolution adopted by the local governing body. City staff and community members work together to carry out these commitments to make their city a better place for pollinators. Please note, this is not about beekeeping and the production of honey.

In Franklin, the Sustainability Commission and the Tree Commission recommended this initiative and the Board of Mayor and Aldermen established Franklin as a Bee City through Resolution 2024-15 on May 28, 2024.

Franklin Bee City Presentation 2024

Franklin Native Plant Suggestions

The program includes regional native plant recommendations such as Aquatic milkweed, Butterfly milkweed, Purple coneflower, Virginia sweetspire, Fragrant sumac, and Little bluestem. Proper soil preparation methods like solarization, sod removal, sheet mulching, and herbicide treatments are crucial for long-term success, with fall or late winter being the best times to plant wildflower seeds.

The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture offers a statewide program called Tennessee Smart Yards if you’d like to get involved.

Pollinator Gardens in Franklin

Collins Farm Historic Park at 418 Lewisburg Pike

Williamson County Public Library Franklin Branch at 1314 Columbia Avenue

2nd Ave South median planting strip

4th Ave North sidewalk planting strip

Fire Station 1 at 500 New Highway 96 West