By SHANNON O. WELLS

Most of those familiar with university culture and the academic calendar know that summer means fewer students milling about and more faculty and staff taking some time off.

A quieter campus notwithstanding, plenty of toil and activity carries on behind the scenes and beyond the naked eye — much of it in preparation for the fall semester — in departments like Pitt Sustainability.

“Things are definitely different during the summer, but not slower,” says Sam Chan, assistant director of sustainability. “We focus more on employee engagement opportunities and encourage folks to get involved in our Pitt Green Office, Lab, and Host designations over the summer. That culminates in our annual Pitt Green Celebration in July.”

The department also is preparing to release its fiscal year 2024 greenhouse gas Inventory this summer, which details progress toward the University reaching carbon neutrality by 2037, while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 50% below 2008 levels by 2030.  

“We’re getting ready for fall and are excited to highlight the sustainability features of Hillman Library and the new Rec and Wellness Center,” Chan notes. “We have been advancing several new solar projects we hope to formally welcome online by fall also.”

Chan took time from such endeavors to talk with University Times about summer Sustainability activities, including Pollinator Month and the Dark Sky Film & Panel Discussion in June, along with other programming and goals. 

University Times: What does Pollinator Month mean for Pitt Sustainability and the University community? What other sustainability and ecology-oriented activities are available this summer?
Sam Chan: Every Pollinator Month event works well because they really engage people and inspire action. We bring the Pitt community together with hands-on activities like building bee hotels, making plantable paper, and hosting campus pollinator tours, while teaching practical ways to support pollinators at home. Each event helps connect people to local ecosystems and show how even small efforts can contribute to a healthier, more sustainable environment. 

Also, the Sustainable Landscape Course, which is offered in June, is part of the Pitt Sustainability Professional Certificate program and is updated annually. This course, designed for Pitt employees, highlights the native pollinators found in our area and how Pitt helps them thrive on campus.  

A brand-new event for Pollinator Month that I’m especially excited about is the Pollinators in the Light Tour, with two tours on June 25 that highlight the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystem. We worked with the team from Heinz Memorial Chapel to connect the meaningful symbolism in the stained glass and carvings with education about pollinators and flora and fauna. It’s a really unique collaboration that ties together art and environmentalism. Attendees will also get the chance to hear the pipe organ and tour the English garden.   

UTimes: Why is Pollinator Month important from an environmental standpoint? What is its significance on the Pitt campus, given its congested, urban nature?  

Chan: Pollinator Month raises awareness about the critical role pollinators play in maintaining healthy ecosystems and food systems. Pollinators are essential for the reproduction of over 75% of flowering plants and about one-third of the crops we eat. Without them, food diversity and agricultural productivity would decline, threatening food security and biodiversity. 

By highlighting their importance, Pollinator Month encourages people to think about adopting sustainable land care practices that support pollinators, such as reducing pesticide use, planting native species, and providing nesting habitats. It’s a reminder that sustaining pollinators is directly tied to sustaining ourselves. 

This is especially important in urban areas like ours here in Oakland, which can lack the natural habitats that pollinators need to survive. With lots of pavement and manicured lawns, urban spaces can be challenging for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. But even small urban gardens, parks and green roofs can be critical havens. Pitt has seven pollinator gardens, which provide urban pollinators with the habitat they need to flourish. 

If you love pollinators and have room in your yard, plant a white oak tree. This tree actually supports more pollinators than any other plant in North America, benefiting over 500 species of butterflies and moths.  

UTimes: Pitt met its Sustainability goal last fall of managing at least 75% of landscaped areas based on Northeast Organic Farming Association (NOFA) standards and Facilities Management practices. Is this a notable measure of the campus’s “pollinator health”?  

Chan: Yes, the NOFA Organic Land Care Standards are a really good indicator of pollinator health because they promote safe, healthy ecosystems — exactly what pollinators need. These standards prohibit synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, prioritize soil health, and encourage the use of native plants, all of which support pollinator populations.  

By focusing on biodiversity, habitat preservation and ecological balance, NOFA’s approach reduces harmful chemical exposure and provides food and shelter for bees, butterflies and other pollinators. Managing land this way signals a commitment to environmental health and is a reliable benchmark for pollinator-friendly practices. 

UTimes: Is Pitt continuing to move in an overall positive direction in this area? What are the most significant/challenging local threats to bees, butterflies, insects, etc.?  

Chan: Yes, Pitt is continuing to move in a positive direction by planting native species to provide habitat and food sources. Just this year, a student group from the Geology 1333 Sustainability course worked with Andy Moran, senior manager of grounds, to design and plant a new pollinator garden called Butterfly Bend near Posvar Hall.  

In my opinion, the most significant challenge to pollinators is the societal pressure of having a tidy green lawn, which doesn’t provide food or habitat for bees and butterflies. Changing this mindset is crucial. Many threats start in our own backyards: common practices like using pesticides, non-native species and overly manicured lawns can harm pollinators.  

Replacing parts of lawns with native flowering plants, letting grass grow longer, or leaving leaves and dead stems can make a huge difference. By rethinking what a “beautiful yard" looks like, we can support biodiversity and help pollinators to thrive. 

UTimes: What events have been popular/successful so far in June?

Chan: The Pollinator Plant Giveaway on June 4 was a huge success, with over 160 people showing up to receive a free native plant. The plants were grown from seed in partnership with the student Conservation Club and Pollinator Habitat Advisory Committee.  

That event turnout shows there is a growing interest in native plants and reflects the Pitt community’s commitment to supporting pollinators and fostering healthier, more sustainable landscapes.  

UTimes: What events and activities can folks look forward as June moves along?  

Chan: If you’re looking for hands-on activities to celebrate pollinators, come make handmade paper embedded with native wildflower seeds on June 17 with the Center for Creativity, or build your very own bee house to support cavity-nesting bees with the Open Lab.  

UTimes: Regarding the Dark Sky Film & Panel Discussion on June 27, why is this a timely and important topic? Are there viable solutions to light pollution on campus and at home?

Chan: When people think of pollinators, diurnal species of bees and butterflies usually come to mind. But about 60% of insects are active at dusk, night and dawn. Some of these species, like moths, beetles, flies, and even specialized bees like the squash bee, are very effective pollinators. (The squash bee, for example, gets to work just before dawn, pollinating squash blossoms in the early morning light.) 

Many nocturnal pollinators use the faint glow of the moon and stars to tell which way is up. While flying, they try to keep the bright light above them to avoid crashing into the ground. But, artificial lights, like porch lights, can throw them off. Drawn in by their brightness, they end up flying in endless circles until they’re either exhausted or caught by predators. 

Here in Pennsylvania, we have more than 350 moth species, most of which are active in low light. I encourage people to learn more about our native moth species. For example, Pennsylvania is home to Cecropia moths, which are the largest moth species in North America, with a wingspan of up to 7 inches. On average, they live for about a week. 

We can help protect these fascinating pollinators by using outdoor lighting only when necessary. Consider using motion-detectors or automatic light timers, opt for warmer light (bulbs with a temperature of no more than 3000 kelvins), and use light shields to direct light downward instead of out in all directions.

At home, you can reduce outdoor lighting by closing your curtains at night and support nocturnal pollinators by planting a “moon garden” that contains plants that are fragrant and visible to nighttime pollinators.  

Pitt is helping to protect our nighttime pollinators too. In the 2021 Institutional Master Plan, the “Dark Skies” guidelines state that all new construction or major renovations will follow current LEED strategies to reduce light pollution. This includes only using exterior lighting for safety and wayfinding purposes. 

Shannon O. Wells is a writer for the University Times. Reach him at shannonw@pitt.edu.

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