Portland State University Apiary: Five Year Plan (2015-2020)

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Initiative overview .............................................................................................................. 2

Beehive location ................................................................................................................. 2

Risk Management, Liability, and Safety ............................................................................ 3

Permits and Permissions ................................................................................................. 6

PSU administration permissions ................................................................................. 6

Neighbor notification letters ....................................................................................... 6

External Permissions .................................................................................................. 6

City Of Portland.......................................................................................................... 6

Liability and Insurance coverage .................................................................................... 7

Safety training and standard operating procedures ......................................................... 7

Signage and traffic flow.................................................................................................. 8

Annual maintenance calendar ............................................................................................. 9

Five year goals .................................................................................................................. 12

Partnerships ...................................................................................................................... 13

Education .......................................................................................................................... 15

Appendix A: Budget ......................................................................................................... 18

Appendix B: Signed Memorandum of Understanding ..................................................... 19

Appendix C: Standard operating procedures .................................................................... 21

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INITIATIVE OVERVIEW

The PSU Apiary was initiated by Stefanie Steele, an undergraduate student in biology. Stefanie

proposed the project as part of PSU’s Living Lab program. The Living Lab is a partnership

between the PSU Campus Sustainability Office, Facilities and Property Management and the

Institute for Sustainable Solutions. The program matches motivated faculty and students with

University staff in order to meet operational needs while providing students with hands-on

educational opportunities.

The Living Lab team identified that

the bee initiative was most ideally

suited to find a long-term home

within the Student Sustainability

Center (SSC). The SSC connects

sustainability with the student

experience at PSU. SSC activities

enhance the student experience and

complement classroom learning by

cultivating sustainability knowledge,

connection to PSU, and pre-

professional experiences for students

across campus.

The PSU Apiary will be managed as

a program within the SSC with

support from a variety of campus and community partners (see page 12). The apiary will be

overseen by the Beekeeping Intern and their volunteer task force with guidance from the SSC

Coordinator.

BEEHIVE LOCATION

Upon approval from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) and PSU administration,

two beehives and one mason bee house will be installed in PSU’s Community Orchard in spring

2016. The Orchard is located at SW 12th and Montgomery just south of the PSU Residence Hall

Community Garden. Safety, long term planning, educational programming, and infrastructure of

the Orchard is managed by the SSC. The Environmental Club, a student organization that is

recognized by Student Activities and Leadership Programs, also coordinates programming and

student engagement in the space.

ODOT approved the permit for the Orchard in 2012 as well as the draft of this plan. They will

update the permit to include installation and maintenance of beehives in spring 2016.

Figure 1. Students on a Student Sustainability Center field

trip to Bull Run Watershed (fall 2015).

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Figure 2. Map of campus gardens, including the Community Orchard (#2)

RISK MANAGEMENT, LIABILITY, AND SAFETY

PSU is a densely populated campus with 30,000 students in the heart of downtown Portland.

Because of its location, PSU must take precautions that may not be necessary on smaller or non-

urban campuses in order to minimize risks to students, staff, faculty, community, property, and the

bees. Risk management has been a major focus during this plan’s development and will continue

to be a top priority as the initiative continues.

In case of emergency, we will contact: Campus Public Safety Office emergency line, Student

Health and Counseling, and 911.

Managing Risk Worksheet – PSU Apiary

Potential risks What could go wrong Actions that reduce risk to a reasonable level:

Stolen

property,

trespassing,

and

vandalism

Unauthorized

individuals trespass in

the orchard, potentially

causing damage to

property or individuals

affiliated with the

University

Install chain link fence with locks; manage key

access with lock box

Attach No Trespassing signage on all four external

facing sides of the Orchard fence

Maintain clear visibility into and out of the orchard

by pruning trees and keeping understory plants to

12”

Include access information on PSU campus gardens

webpage and bee webpage

Maintain strong partnership with Campus Public

Safety (CPSO) and ODOT; patrol space regularly

Include clear safety signage outside hives

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Add no trespassing signage on exterior facing sides

of fence

Maintain space - clear debris and keep clear line of

sight from outside fences

Install floodlight, deterrent plants (ex: pyracantha),

and motion sensor sprinklers to reduce activity next

to freeway

Encourage adjacent Residence Hall Community

Garden to fence their entrance from freeway

Install secure toolshed on site with lock

o Maintain supply inventory and mark all

items with department name

Bee sting or

other personal

injury

Bee sting could occur with the

following scenarios:

PSU student with

insurance

PSU student without

insurance

Staff and faculty with

insurance

Individual not affiliated

with PSU

Choose less aggressive bee species (we chose

mason and Italian or Carniolan)

Signage includes campus locations of epi pens,

safety tips for preventing and addressing bee stings,

and online link to sign liability forms, standard

operating procedures, and emergency contact info

Create standard operating procedures with support

from Environmental Health and Safety staff

Add safety fencing around beehive perimeter

Blank copies of PSU injury report forms will be at

the Orchard

Ask CPSO to carry two epi pens on patrol

Lock sharp tools in shed – for use only by trained

SSC staff

Train staff to recognize signs and symptoms of

anaphylactic shock and take appropriate next steps

Maintain partnership with Student Health and

Counseling (SHAC)

o will assign a nurse for larger events if

requested in advance

o will also create a “bee kit” that can be

checked out

o Students with PSU insurance will pay a co-

pay to be treated

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Swarm – bees

leave hives

Bees leave the nest and

swarm on campus

Bees leave the nest and

swarm off campus

Train students to watch for swarming behavior and

take appropriate actions if necessary

Split the hive if crowded in future years

Tim Wessels of Bridgetown Bees has committed to

help capture the swarm

Facilities and Property Management will help

capture the swarm if needed

Yellow jackets Yellow jackets attack

the hives

Set yellow jacket traps in spring and September

Set pheromone traps for queens

August: Replace the entrance reducer to give the

bees a better chance of warding off yellow jackets

If attack occurs, close the hive for 24 hours

Colony dies Colony does not

survive winter

Colony succumbs to

varroa mite infestation

Create detailed annual maintenance calendar that

ensures the hive has enough honey reserves to last

through winter.

Visit hives regularly throughout the year to assess

health and test for mite infestation.

If colony dies, another will be obtained

Bee water

source dries

out

Water source is not

maintained

Students are not present

in summer

Install water source in shade to prevent drying in

direct sun

Fund internship position in summer

Ensure that multiple individuals have key access.

Rotate checking water source throughout week

Fire Fire is cause as a result of:

Improper use of smoker

Debris

Dead plant matter in

summer

Remove flammable debris from site

Include instructions for using smoker in standard

operating procedures

\ Install water source in shade to prevent drying in

direct sun

Fund internship position in summer

Ensure that multiple individuals have key access.

Rotate checking water source throughout week

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PERMITS AND PERMISSIONS

PSU ADMINISTRATIVE PERMISSIONS

Through conversations with decision makers at PSU, SSC determined that the following

departments and organizations will need to approve the plan. Each of these individuals have

provided feedback on the initiative’s development and provided approval.

Don Johansen - Assistant Director, Risk Management, Finance and Administration

Steve Billings - Landscape Supervisor, Facilities and Property Management

Mark Bajorek – Health Services Director, Student Health and Counseling

Viron Lynch - Director, Facilities and Property Management

Aimee Shattuck - Assistant Dean of Student Life and Director, Student Activities and

Leadership Programs

NEIGHBOR NOTIFICATION LETTERS

Letters have been delivered to all neighbors who are within 150 feet of the beehives as part of the

City of Portland beekeeping permitting process:

Mike Walsh - Executive Director, University House and Residence Life

Lisa Wittorf - Director, Services for Students with Children

Joseph Jenkins, Budget Analyst; James Crammond, Director; and Kevin Pesola, Budget

Analyst - USGS Oregon Water Science Center

EXTERNAL PERMISSIONS

Patricia Schneider - Permit Office Specialist for district 2B, ODOT

Dave Thompson - Code Enforcement Division, Multnomah County Health Department

CITY OF PORTLAND

SSC has completed all items on the City of Portland’s Beekeeping Checklist, and a site visit will

be completed before installation of the hives to ensure that all aspects of the checklist have been

implemented:

- Bee box(es) or similar approved enclosure

- Distance from nearest neighbors home a minimum of 15 feet away, preferably

more

- Beehive facility complies with city building codes, if applicable

- Completed and signed Neighborhood Beekeeping Notification Affidavit of

- Mailing to all neighbors within 150 feet

- 6 foot partitioning to block bees from public view. Boxes should be placed in

areas where they are secure from trespassers, such as curious neighbors or

children

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- The beehive is 15 feet away from sidewalks, streets and public areas (such as

public parks)

- Sufficient liability insurance to address potential damage from your animals

- If you are a renter: You must get written and signed permission from landlord,

property manager, or owner indicating they are aware of your intent to keep bees

on the property

- Pay $12 processing fee

LIABILITY AND INSURANCE COVERAGE

PSU’s Office of Risk Management, along with campus partners, has determined the various

categories of individuals who might interact with the bees and how they will be insured:

Student volunteers – are subject to the terms of the SSC’s liability waiver form. Liability

waivers will be completed by all apiary volunteers. The liability waiver has been

reviewed and approved by the PSU Office of Risk Management.

Faculty and staff - PSU faculty and staff are covered through workers compensation. All

paid employees including faculty, staff and student workers are covered by Workers’

Compensation insurance and are eligible to file a Workers’ Compensation claim if they

are hurt at work.

Tim Wessels (community partner) - covered through homeowners insurance.

Individuals not affiliated with PSU - All other individuals will be uninsured through PSU

but may file a liability claim through the University.

Loss or damage to equipment - Damage or loss of property risk will be assumed by the

SSC. PSU’s minimum deductible is $5,000.

SAFETY TRAINING AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

The SSC hosts an annual Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) training specifically designed

for students who work in gardens, beehives, and waste management. The training is facilitated by

PSU’s EHS Manager. The SSC Beekeeping Intern, Garden Coordinator and Volunteer

Coordinator will be required participate in this training annually. EHS also helped develop the

beekeeping standard operating procedures (Appendix C).

Topics covered in the training include:

Proper use of Personal Protective Equipment

Proper disposal of debris and contaminants found in urban environments, as well as what

items should not be touched but referred to EHS

Proper lifting techniques (hives will be heavy when full of honey)

Who to contact in case of various emergencies

How to work with bees so they are not defensive

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Recognizing defensive behavior

Use of sharp objects (hive tools)

How to read materials safety data sheets

Ladder safety

Beekeeping Health Training – SHAC will provide a regular inservice training for student staff

involved with beekeeping. The training will include proper use of epi pens, and first aid and

emergency procedures.

The beekeeping standard operating procedures are listed in appendix C.

SIGNAGE AND ACCESS

Content for safety signage - exterior facing from orchard fence (all four sides):

No trespassing except for authorized users during daylight hours

Contact information: Campus Public Safety Office, Environmental Club

PSU logo

Content for safety signage - perimeter of designated bee area:

Copy of ODOT permit

Text: All who enter must sign SSC liability waiver form (link to online form) and read

and follow the Standard Operating Procedures form for beekeepers at all times (include

copy of procedures and online link)

List of open hours for term

Bee safety information is posted at: (link to PSU Bees webpage with facts)

No fragrances allowed

Do not work alone

Do not bother the bees beyond maintenance supervised by SSC staff

Have a working and charged cell phone with you

EpiPen is located in Student Health and Counseling

If you are allergic, bring your own Benadryl and/or EpiPen

Contact information: Campus Safety, Student Health and Counseling, Student

Sustainability Center

Law enforcement strategy:

ODOT maintains control and responsibility for security concerns within the space

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PSU Campus Safety will respond to immediate safety concerns affecting students or staff

ANNUAL MAINTENANCE CALENDAR

Year round presence in the

apiary is necessary to care for the

bees, with increased activity

during spring and summer

months when bees are most

active. No synthetic chemicals

will be used for treatment in the

apiary in accordance with PSU’s

Outdoor Integrated Pest

Management Plan.

The Beekeeping Intern will

manage the maintenance with

support from the SSC

Coordinator and Tim Wessels.

They will involve students who

participate as volunteer in the Beekeeping Task Force. Volunteers commit to 2-4 hours per week

for one full term by joining the volunteer program. All volunteers attend a half day orientation

which includes signing liability waivers and discussing the standard operating procedures.

January Mason Bees:

Mature adults hibernate in cocoons

Honey Bees:

Generally don’t open the hive. Clear off any snow at entrance to give ventilation

Equipment preparing, research, and workshop planning

February Mason Bees:

Install and maintain house with cocoons

Mason bees emerge with the blossom of Red Bud trees

Honey Bees:

Equipment preparation, research, and workshop planning

Determine health of the hive. Make sure the hive has enough honey

March Mason Bees:

New cocoons arrive; set cocoons outside if temps >50℉. Males emerge first, (~ 1-4

weeks before females), and will inadvertently pollinate as they forage/wait for females.

Males and females mate, and males die shortly after

Honey Bees:

Check food source after winter. Early spring, weather depending, is the time when hive

is most likely to starve. If there are empty combs between the brood nest and remaining

honey, move empty combs toward the back of hive and bring honey closer to brood. If

hive is out of honey and no nectar flow, feed the hive.

Figure 3. Student Sustainability Center Beekeeping Intern,

Stefanie Steele, places the frame for beehives in the orchard

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Consider hive split if crowded (prevents swarming), check for mites.

Yellow Jackets:

Set pheromone traps for queens

April Mason Bees:

Females collect pollen, nectar, mud for nests, and lay eggs. Eggs are laid in pollen lump

with a mud door to seal, and they will hatch 3 days after being laid-- larvae will then eat

food (pollen/nectar) and then spin cocoon inside cell (in shelves inside house)

Honey Bees:

Thoroughly inspect the hive: check condition of the comb, whether the queen is laying

eggs, if bees are bringing in pollen, check for pests and disease.

Nucs arrive (year 1)

Maintain water source

May Mason Bees:

Females collect pollen, nectar, mud for nests, and lay eggs. Eggs will hatch 3 days after

being laid. Larvae will then eat food (pollen/nectar) and then spin cocoon inside cell (in

shelves inside house)

Honey Bees:

Look for nectar and pollen stores. Watch for swarming behavior

Reverse boxes to make the bees think they have more space and identify queen cells

Add super when ready

Maintain water source

Small event in Orchard after nucs are established

June Mason Bees:

Adult females die after laying eggs

Honey Bees:

Add supers/hive boxes for honey

Check for a healthy laying pattern and healthy queen

Harvest honey?

Maintain water source

July Mason Bees:

Eggs mature inside cells

Honey Bees:

Remove entrance reducer to allow bees to properly cool down the hive

Maintain water source

August Mason Bees:

Eggs mature inside cells

Honey Bees:

3rd Saturday- Bee Awareness Day

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Replace the entrance reduce to give the bees a better chance of warding off yellow

jackets - if attack occurs, close the hive for 24 hours

Harvest honey?

Maintain water source

Yellow Jackets:

Set out more pheromone traps

September Mason Bees:

Eggs mature inside cells

Honey Bees:

Remove super, make sure honey stores are strong or feed

Varroa mite control/evaluation

Yellow Jackets:

Check on/clean and reset traps

October Mason Bees:

Mature adults hibernate in cocoons

Honey Bees:

Check for pests and adequate honey reserves.

November Mason Bees:

Mature adults hibernate in cocoons

Clean trays/cocoons

Honey Bees:

Make sure entrance reducer is attached and placed in small entrance setting

Feed if necessary

December Mason Bees:

Mature adults hibernate in cocoons

Clean trays/cocoons

Honey Bees:

Build/repair equipment, research

Don’t open hive unless absolutely necessary

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FIVE YEAR GOALS

2015-16: Create risk management plan with support from PSU staff, ODOT, and community

partners

Ensure that liability is understood for all participating parties

Complete Portland Beekeeping permit checklist

Order educational materials and supplies

Create annual maintenance calendar

Host Beekeeping 101 workshop

Attend educational events and workshops to learn about bee care

Amend SSC liability waiver form and confirm with PSU Office of Risk Management

Identify campus locations of epi pens

Meet with Student Health and Counseling staff

Complete Environmental Health and Safety Training

Create and hire for bee internship position

Establish location for hives and prepare physical site

Create standard operating procedures

Create memorandum of understanding with partnering PSU departments

Set up “bees@pdx.edu” email address through PSU

Purchase beekeeping supplies and hives

Plant pollinator plants

Pilot volunteer task force

Notify neighbors

Establish budget within Student Sustainability Center budget

Purchase bees

Obtain updated permit from ODOT

Determine scope of Intern position and number of expected hours per week.

Create Personal Services Agreement with Tim Wessels

Establish two hives

Remove flammable debris from site

Install floodlight

Install orange safety fencing

Install safety signage

Install motion sensor sprinklers

Create bee webpage

Create bee kit with Student Health and Counseling and process for checkout

Identity learning activities and themes

Train all employees in epi pen use

Complete site visit for Portland permit

Install toolshed and lock

2016-17 Apply for BEE Campus USA designation

Partner with programs and classes

Launch volunteer bee task force

Evaluate the strength of the hives. If the colony is strong after winter, split into two

colonies/hives. If colony is strong after winter, make a spilt. If the hives come out of

winter weak, catch a swarm in spring. Apiary will peak at 4-5 hives.

Connect with PSU’s Open Space plan to map pollinator habitat across campus and

provide recommendations for increasing pollinator friendly species

Test chemical constituency of honey – possible partnership with Chemistry department

Create learning module with activities, reflective questions, and educational themes

Create second phase of signage (educational focus)

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2017-18 Re-apply for BEE Campus USA designation

If applicable, work with PSU departments to add additional hives on campus

Establish research-based partnerships.

Consider establishing additional hives on campus

2018-19 Re-apply for BEE Campus USA designation

Explore feasibility for honey distribution and (potentially) sale

2019-20 Re-apply for BEE Campus USA designation

Create new five year plan

PARTNERSHIPS

In January 2016, a Memorandum of Understanding for 2015-16 was signed by representatives

from the SSC, the Institute for Sustainable Solutions, Campus Sustainability Office, and

Bridgetown Bees to clarify their roles and commitment to the beekeeping initiative

(see appendix B).

The following is a list of other key campus and community stakeholders to this initiative, with the

main contact for each organization or department listed in parentheses.

External Partnerships:

Oregon Department of Transportation (James Nelson and Patricia Schneider, District 2B

Permit Specialists for District 2B): ODOT revised its current

permit for the PSU Orchard to include the bee initiative and

subsequent hives in the orchard location. ODOT is also

responsible for clearing accumulated debris on the freeway side

of fence and addressing safety concerns.

Bridgetown Bees (Tim Wessels): The co-owner of Bridgetown

Bees, Tim Wessels, will be the mentor for PSU’s bee initiative.

Wessels will serve as advisor to the SSC and student intern for

programmatic development of the project, provide mentorship in

educational programs, maintain personal liability insurance, and

serve as a liaison with networks outside of the PSU community

City of Portland (Dave Thompson): The PSU bee initiative will

acquire the necessary permitting from the Multnomah County

Code Enforcement. Dave Thompson will provide a beekeeping permit prior to the arrival of the

honeybees in the campus orchard and after completing a hive inspection.

Figure 4. Tim Wessels leads students in a Beekeeping 101

workshop at PSU, January 17th, 2016

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PSU Departments:

Student Sustainability Center (Heather Spalding, Coordinator): The SSC will create and manage

the Beekeeping Intern position, recruit student volunteers and participants, provide a budget for

supplies and management, support the Intern as they navigate institutional policies and

departments, support the creation of a long term plan for the bee program, ensure that all

volunteers complete liability forms, provide partnership opportunities with other campus gardens,

and integrate the bee initiative into the SSC.

The SSC Beekeeping Intern will serve as the main lead for the campus apiary by advancing

student recruitment and involvement efforts, maintaining the hives and physical apiary location,

reporting to the SSC Coordinator, and creating a strategy for institutionalizing a beekeeping

program at PSU.

Student Health and Counseling (Dana Tasson, Director and Mark Bajorek, Health Services

Director): The SSC has discussed the bee initiative with the directors. We have created a plan for

addressing allergy risk (see risk management matrix). The cost to be seen will be covered through

student insurance for any students. SHAC will also provide a bee kit for checkout and assign a

nurse for publicized events.

Facilities and Property Management (Viron Lynch, Director; Steve Billings, Landscape

Supervisor): Multiple staff from this unit participate in the Garden Coordinators Committee

(GCC), convened by SSC. These staff provided general support in identifying potential hive

locations, and Landscaping staff maintain areas on campus that provide bee habitat using PSU’s

Integrated Pest Management Plan. The director of Facilities and Property Management (to which

Landscaping reports) attended a meeting with PSU representatives to discuss risk management

and liability.

Campus Sustainability Office (Jenny McNamara, Manager): Campus Sustainability Office staff

participate in Garden Coordinators Committee, support outreach and recruitment efforts, connect

the initiative to other operational projects on campus, provide limited funding for physical needs

of the project as well as support in potential future fundraising efforts, and help navigate

institutional policies and departments

Institute for Sustainable Solutions (Jacob Sherman, Curriculum Coordinator): ISS supports this

initiative by increasing the capacity and credibility of the project, providing outreach and

communications support, providing Graduate Assistant administrative support through the Living

Lab program, and assisting in programmatic development and fundraising efforts.

Student Activities and Leadership Programs (Aimee Shattuck, Director): As of July 1, 2016,

SSC will report to this department. SALP provided the risk management matrix template, co-

sponsors events in the orchard, provides advising for the Environmental Club, and provides

general programmatic support for the SSC.

Dean of Student Life Office (Michele Toppe, Assistant Vice President): This department

supports coordination for safety and conduct at PSU. The Office has attended meetings between

staff in various departments to address security concerns in campus garden spaces.

Campus Public Safety Office (Craig Whitten, Lieutenant of Public Safety Operations): CPSO

staff perform regular patrols of the Orchard. CPSO staff also participate in the Garden

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Coordinators Committee. They are responsible for maintaining communication with the SSC

coordinator regarding any concerns within and surrounding the orchard and responding to

immediate safety concerns.

Academic Departments: Although the primary maintenance of the hives will be managed by staff

and volunteers, faculty from several academic departments have expressed interest in integrating

course material with the campus apiary through research and other hands-on learning

opportunities. Partnerships with the following departments will be consider after the beehives are

stabilized:

Biology, Botany, University Studies, Geography, and the Leadership for Sustainability

Education master’s program within the School of Education

EDUCATION

The SSC focuses on offering

transformative learning

opportunities for PSU students.

Through educational signage,

workshops, web content,

advertising, internships, and

volunteer opportunities, students

from across campus can gain

hands-on experience with

beekeeping on campus.

Educational themes

The bee initiative will focus on educating students, staff and faculty on topics that include:

The roles of pollinators in ecosystems

Interactions between humans, plants, and animals

Preventing colony collapse disorder and organic methods of beekeeping

The value of maintaining native plant species in a local ecosystem

Honeybee and mason bee biology

Benefits of honeybee hive products

Impacts of environmental change on pollinators

Management techniques to make the Community Orchard more welcoming to all

pollinators: birds, bats, other insects

Figure 5. Students attend the Beekeeping

101 Workshop hosted by local honeybee

expert, and PSU Apiary partner, Tim

Wessels, January 17th, 2016

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Examples of educational events:

Beekeeping 101

Pollinator Ecology, Integrated Pest

Management and Landscaping for

Pollinators

Outreach at campus events with bee

costumes - Earth Day, orientations, etc

Movie screening of Queen of the Sun

Honey extraction

Candle, lotion, balm, and tonic making

Annual campus events around National

events such as National Pollinator Week

(third week of June), Earth Day (April 22nd), and Arbor Day (last Friday in April)

Service learning opportunities and field trips for students to learn about community

beekeeping initiatives such as Zenger Farm, Bridgetown Bees and local schools who

have apiaries

Bee Campus USA: We will apply for Bee Campus USA certification in the 2016-17 school year.

Certification requires the designated campus holds regular education events.

Purchased educational materials:

Top Bar Beekeeping: Organic Practices for Honeybee Health (Chowder and Harrell,

2012)

The Beekeeper’s Bible: Bees, Honey, Recipes and Other Home Uses (Jones and

Sweeney-Lynch, 2011)

Backyard Beekeeper: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Keeping Bees in Your Yard and

Garden (Flottum, 2014)

Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us? (2010)

2 bee costumes

A variety of gardening and environmental resources

Assessment of impact and learning:

All volunteers who participate in the bee task force will complete an end-of-term survey that

includes quantitative and qualitative measurements of learning and satisfaction with their

experience. The survey measures the SSC’s learning outcomes.

Classes and programs that interact with the space will complete the SSC campus garden post

survey that includes questions about the number of students, learning that occurred, activities, and

recommendations for improvement. The growth of the bee initiative will be included in the SSC’s

annual report each summer and updated regularly on the bee webpage.

Figure 6. Students learn about hive fundamentals at the Beekeeping

101 workshop

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Once the hives are established, a learning module will be created for the beehives that allow any

PSU educator to utilize the project as a learning resource. The module will include activities,

reflection questions, and be tied to PSU’s Undergraduate Campus Wide Learning Outcomes and

University Studies goals. See an example of a completed learning module by reviewing the PSU

Oak Savanna initiative.

Research completed (other institutions and initiatives):

Portland Urban Beekeepers

Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus

West Seattle Bee Garden

Lewis and Clark College

Bee Campus USA

Xerxes Society

Southern Oregon University

New Seasons

Rhode Island State College

Oregon State University

Zenger Farm

Attended campus biodiversity webinar hosted by the Association for the Advancement of

Sustainability in Higher Education

Attended session on Bee Campus USA at Oregon Higher Education Sustainability Conference

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APPENDIX A: BUDGET FY 15-16

Beekeeping Budget

ITEM AMOUNT DETAIL PERSON FY 2015-16 REQUEST

Beekeeping Intern $1,100 leadership award for summer, fall, winter, spring 1 intern 4400

Pollinator plants To be planted in proximity to hive 30

Tools and supplies Nails, mason bee house, paint, etc 150

Yellow jacket traps 30

Winter workshop Food and advertising 150

Spring workshop Food and advertising 150

Personal services contract

For Tim Wessels - community partner 1000

Parking passes 5 passes for Tim Wessels 25

Educational materials Movies, books, bee costumes 200

Total Allocation 6135

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APPENDIX B: SIGNED MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

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APPENDIX C: STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE CONTROL: Beehive Maintenance

Supervisor’s Name: Heather Spalding

Name of Department Unit: Student Sustainability Center, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs

#1 Scope of Work/Activity:

Inspect and maintain health of the hive

Monitor for swarming behavior

Clean hive

Install mason bee houses; set mason bee cocoons in houses

Set yellow jacket traps

Maintain water source

Harvest honey

#2 Specific Safety and Environmental Hazards: State the specific hazard and

consequences if procedure not followed to person, environment, or property.

Bee or insect stings

Exposure to hazardous materials, biological materials, broken glass and sharp items

Injury due to improper lifting techniques

#3 Engineering Controls: Describe any specific engineering controls which are required

to prevent employee injury to hazards.

SSC staff attend Environmental Health and Safety training

PSU student volunteers are subject to terms of the SSC’s liability waiver form

PSU faculty, staff, and student employees are covered through workers compensation and are eligible to file a claim if injured

All other individuals are uninsured through PSU but may file a liability claim through the University

Safety tips:

Be aware of your surroundings

Garden with at least one other person

Be careful of unexpected debris and objects while working in gardens

No fragrances allowed

Have a cell phone with you

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#4 Designated Area(s): Indicate the designated area(s) for performing this process.

PSU Community Orchard beehives (SW 12th and Montgomery, south of

Residence Hall and Community Garden)

#5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): For all activities in box #1, the following

PPE must be worn at all times. All PPE will be stored in the orchard storage shed and

should be put on before/removed after entering the safety fencing surrounding the

hives.

Beekeeping veil

Beekeeping gloves

Long sleeved shirt

Pants (tucked into socks)

Socks

Closed-toe shoes

#6 Important Steps to Follow: List the specific sequence staff should follow to avoid

hazard.

Volunteers will work only with Student Sustainability Center staff present and directly supervising

If hazardous materials are found, contact Environmental Heath & Safety and Campus Public Safety Office to manage found materials

Staff and volunteers will be trained in and practice safe lifting procedures

Use of smoker: 1. Do not leave smoker unattended. If you have to set it

down while hot, set in a metal bucket or other non-flammable container

2. Wear appropriate gloves when using the smoker as is it hot

3. When done using smoker, dump smoldering contents into a bucket of water to extinguish

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#7 Emergency Procedures: Describe immediate medical treatment required in case

of personnel exposure.

For ordinary bee stings that do not cause allergic reaction, remove stinger, wash the sting area with soap and water, and apply hydrocortisone cream. In case of allergic reaction, contact the emergency number for CPSO. CPSO will escort the affected individual to Student Health and Counseling for epi pen administration.

Seek immediate medical attention if:

You have difficulty breathing You have been stung many times You are allergic to bees

What to do while being stung:

Remain calm Avoid harsh movements and swatting at bees Slowly step away from the bees and hive area Protect your face and eyes

If possible, go to an enclosed area such as a building or car to treat

#8 Control Procedures for abandoned Hazardous Waste/Biological

Waste:

Employee will contact the appropriate department (Environmental Health & Safety: 503-725-3738; Campus Public Safety Office: 503-725-4407) to collect and dispose of any abandoned hazardous waste/biological waste.

Please check one of the following boxes:

☐ To my knowledge, I am not allergic to bees.

☐ I am allergic to bees and will keep my own unexpired epi pen on my person at

all times when in the Orchard.

☐ I am allergic to bees and do not have an epi pen.

NOTE: You cannot enter the orchard if you are allergic and do not have your own

epi pen.

Name: _______________________________ Date: ________________