Researching and starting Bee Campus USA. by Modesto
December 27, 2024
Open gallery
Author: Modesto Fontanez III
Fall 2024 Sustainability Team Cohort
Major: Environmental Studies
Graduation date: Class of 2026
I learned how to effectively manage my time through this internship. Initially, I struggled to keep up with my required hours, but I eventually caught up once I developed a better system. I created a routine where I worked on the internship during breaks from schoolwork, which was lucky enough, very fun. This experience taught me more than just practical skills—it was a period of personal growth. I learned how to manage my time, write professional emails, and analyze surveys. Most importantly, I overcame the imposter syndrome that almost every student faces at some point. For me, this meant finally applying my knowledge in real-world contexts instead of just sitting on it. A significant portion of my learning also revolved around pollinator plants and pollinators in general.
My main project was focused on transforming SUNY Purchase into a Bee Campus affiliate. This initiative involved planting more native pollinator plants and improving campus care to create a pollinator-friendly environment for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinator species. It was a lengthy process that required a lot of research on the Bee Campus website, reaching out to other schools (sometimes hearing back, sometimes not), surveying the campus for potential planting sites, creating surveys, and analyzing their results. There was a lot of groundwork to ensure we could meet the criteria for affiliation.
Another project I worked on was researching Tree Campus certification, which recognizes efforts to plant and protect trees as part of Arbor Day. While this wasn’t as major of a project, mainly because it seemed less feasible for our campus, it still served its own purpose. Even if we don’t go for Tree Campus certification, many of the program’s requirements can be applied to make our campus more plant-friendly overall.
One of the most meaningful aspects of this internship was realizing that there is a space for me in this field and in the world. While it might seem obvious given my environmental science major that there is a space for me, I’ve often heard discouraging comments like, “You’d better hurry up and solve climate change, we’re running out of time,” or, “Why bother? We’re doomed anyway.” This internship proved otherwise. It showed me that spaces like SAOC, the Land Stewardship Committee, and the Zero Waste Committee not only align with my values but also provide platforms for my ideas. These spaces challenged me to grow, encouraged me to share my thoughts, and allowed me to feel respected and seen by students, staff, and faculty alike. In the right environment, work is built on mutual respect and equality, and I’m grateful to have experienced that firsthand.