The Louisville government’s commitment toward making sustainable habitats for pollinators is “un-bee-lievable,” with a new mural downtown to celebrate the city’s Bee City USA certification.

In February 2023, Louisville became an official affiliate of Bee City USA, an initiative of the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation nonprofit group, which is designed to help improve the environment for pollinators and other insects.

Megan Morgan, local artist, coordinated with city workers to make the “Pollinator Parade” street mural. The mural is at the intersection of Main and Spruce streets.

“We’re literally making a bee gigantic and zooming in on it,” Morgan said, “We’re putting it on a podium, putting it on a stage.”

Morgan said art is there to encapsulate feelings that words can not describe. Morgan said she hopes the mural makes people have more conversations about bees and local pollinators and do not disregard their role in the environment.

Morgan also is the founder of graphic design company Strange Bird Designs. She said she sees graphic design as being able to help solve business problems and art as another way to communicate with people.

“Graphic design solves business solutions, fine art really touches people,” Morgan said.

Morgan said she is very involved in “non-professional gardening,” so the chance to create an artwork that celebrates nature and its buzzing friends was an opportunity she could not pass up.

Iris Belensky, Louisville’s arts and events program manager, said the mural is an artistic, visual representation of the city’s commitment to pollinator health.

“The mural not only celebrates Louisville’s designation as a Bee City, but evokes the unique beauty created when a community prioritizes pollinator health,” Belensky said.

The Hunt’s bumblebee, a bee native to Colorado, is depicted in the mural.

Abby McNeal, parks superintendent, said the city’s horticulture staff are committed to supporting local pollinators though planting annual and perennial plants, and the urban forestry team have planted flowering trees.McNeal said that city workers have focused over the past five years on reducing chemical usage on plants.

Hannah Miller, Louisville sustainability manager, said being a Bee City means the city is committed to making sustainable habitats for necessary pollinators by planting native flowers, reducing pesticide use and educating the community about the importance of pollinators.

“The mural will visually communicate the city’s commitment to supporting pollinators through its artistic representation,” Miller said.

Miller said there are a variety of ways residents can get involved and support local pollinators, by using less pesticides, spreading awareness of the importance of pollinators and planting native flowers. Residents can join more pollinator initiatives at tinyurl.com/LouisvilleBeeCity.