RIVER FALLS — Sustainability is essential to the vision and mission of the University of Wisconsin- River Falls and Chancellor Maria Gallo has been a significant supporter of the sustainability euorts on cam – pus.

It is no surprise then that the topic is front and center for her inauguration events set for Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 19-20. During the Day of Engagement on Oct . 19, the campus community is invited to come together and talk about what sustainabili- ty priorities are important to them. Following a presenta tion focused on the univer- sity's sustainability plan and model, a campus sustain – ability tour will be ouered. The tour will showcase the Grounds Department's ex – tensive sustainability euorts and the Bee Hotel's ovcial dedication.

“Sustainability is an in- tegral part of UWRF's mis – sion, vision and core values. I felt my inauguration was a perfect time to continue talking about and promot – ing sustainability euorts on campus," Gallo said. "I am honored to be able to work for an institution that puts such a strong emphasis on making our community more sustainable." The unveiling of the Bee Hotel and ribbon cutting is set for Oct. 19 at 3:15 p.m. The hotel will be installed across from the Melvin Wall Amphitheatre, outside the fence where the Horticulture Department houses its re –

search plots.

“This is a great location for the Bee Hotel because there are about 10 to 15 feet of other landscaping so we can set the hotel back by the fence, and then we can do a larger sign out by the land- scaping so people can read and learn more about the hotel but not have to walk directly up to it," said Sus tainability Coordinator Mark Klapatch-Mathias. The Bee Hotel came to fruition thanks to the university’s Bee Club, a student organization aimed at raising awareness of pollinator habi – tat conservation and benefits.

“It was one of the students in Bee Club that suggested we create just one large bee hotel on campus," explained Klapatch-Mathias.

The Bee Club submitted its proposal for the hotel last year and received approval in the spring. The Green Fund fully funded the project. The Green Fund is an allocable segregated university fee created to support sustain –

ability initiatives and proj – ects at UW-River Falls. The funds generated through the Green Fund support both the UWRF Sustainability Ovce and act to provide funding for projects that improve sus –

tainability.

The Bee Hotel is explic – itly created for solitary bees. Solitary bees are less aggres- sive than other types of bees. They do not swarm or need a hive. These bees use the ho – tel space for nesting, laying their eggs to keep them out of the elements and returning when they hatch in the spring. In July 2021, UW-River Falls became an avliate of Bee Campus USA. The pro gram is designed to marshal the strengths of educational campuses for the benefit of pollinators. More informa – tion on Bee Campus USA can be found at https://www. uwrf.edu/Sustainability/Bee-Club-Bee-Campus-USA. cfm .

Submitted by UW-River Falls