Beecatur
Celebrating ten years as a Bee City USA® and a community committed to pollinators.
In a city known for its strong sense of community and environmental awareness, one small insect has made a remarkably big impact. As the City of Decatur celebrates a decade as Georgia’s first affiliate of Bee City USA, Beecatur continues to lead the charge in pollinator education, advocacy, and habitat creation.
At the center of that effort is Peter Helfrich, chairperson of Beecatur, a backyard beekeeper and native bee enthusiast whose leadership is deeply rooted in both community and expertise. A past president of the Metro Atlanta Beekeepers Association and the Georgia Beekeepers Association’s 2024 Beekeeper of the Year, Helfrich is a familiar face in local classrooms and was recognized as a Decatur Hometown Hero in 2023 for his work on behalf of bees. Since the city’s designation in July 2016, he says the most meaningful outcome has been simple but powerful: awareness. “The designation has given us a platform to spread the word about the importance of pollinators in urban settings like Decatur,” he explains. “Education is our primary mission.”
Beecatur’s roots are as grassroots as they come, sparked by a local protest and a call for authenticity in environmental stewardship. What began as a community response has grown into a vibrant, year-round initiative supported by partnerships with organizations like Wylde Center and guided by resources from the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation. Together, they’ve transformed public spaces into pollinator habitats, engaged students in hands-on learning, and brought science directly into residents’ backyards.
From marching in local parades dressed as bees to coordinating real scientific research on pesticide drift, Beecatur blends education with action. Helfrich points to a 2023 study, conducted alongside Xerces scientists, that revealed how common mosquito sprays can harm pollinators even beyond the targeted yard. “Participating in that study was both educational and gratifying,” he says, reinforcing the group’s long-standing message.
Still, the heart of Beecatur’s mission lies in everyday choices. Through signage campaigns like “No Mow Month” and classroom visits across Decatur schools, the initiative encourages residents to see their own yards as part of a larger ecosystem. With more than 500 bee species in Georgia alone, Helfrich emphasizes that biodiversity is something anyone can witness and support right at home.
“Bees and pollinators are creatures with which we need to learn to co-exist. They are critical to the ecological health of our community.”
As Decatur marks this milestone during National Pollinator Week, Beecatur looks ahead with the same focus it began with: small steps, shared knowledge, and a community willing to let nature thrive.
The National Pollinator Week 2026 Festival returns to Decatur on June 27 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm at Harmony Park in Oakhurst
Create a Pollinator-Friendly Yard in Decatur
Urban spaces like City of Decatur can be powerful habitats for bees and other pollinators—and helping them thrive is easier than you might think. A few simple changes can turn your yard into a welcoming refuge:
- Skip the chemicals: Avoid insecticides and herbicides that harm beneficial insects
- Plant with purpose: Choose native, perennial flowers and trees for blooms throughout the seasons
- Add water: A shallow dish or birdbath gives pollinators a place to drink
- Leave some ground bare: Many native bees nest in soil
- Keep it natural: Fallen logs and hollow stems provide important shelter
Even small steps can make a big impact—helping your backyard buzz with life while supporting a healthier local ecosystem.