Podcast Summary: Climate Connections
Episode: Bees are buzzing on Michigan State's campus
Date: June 18, 2026
Host: Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, Yale Center for Environmental Communication
Duration: ~90 seconds
Episode Overview
This episode explores a new sustainability initiative at Michigan State University, where the campus is converting manicured lawns into wild meadow habitats. The project aims to support pollinators, reduce carbon emissions from lawn maintenance, and cut operational costs—an example of how local action on climate adaptation can create tangible benefits for both nature and people.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. From Lawnmowers to Buzzing Bees
- Michigan State University (MSU) is transforming portions of its campus by replacing traditional lawns with meadows supporting pollinators.
- Tangible Change: Where the “roar of lawnmowers is being replaced by the sound of buzzing bees.” (Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, 00:05)
2. Collaboration and Habitat Creation
- Collaboration: Landscape Services coordinator Josh Ridner partnered with an MSU entomology professor to identify 22 acres of campus lawns for the transformation.
- Of those, six acres have been planted and seeded with native, pollinator-friendly plants.
3. Native Plants Introduced
- Species included: butterfly weed, joe pye weed, blazing star, bee balm, mountain mint, black eyed Susan.
- “We put some butterfly weed and joe pye weed. There's blazing star, bee balm, mountain mint, black eyed Susan.” (Josh Ridner, 00:42-00:50)
4. Environmental and Economic Impact
- Reduced Fossil Fuel Use: By eliminating routine mowing, MSU reduces planet-warming carbon emissions.
- “We’re only doing the mowing essentially once a year as opposed to... 24 to 28 times a year.” (Josh Ridner, 00:57-01:03)
- Maintenance Savings: The cost savings from less frequent mowing means the project should pay for itself in three years.
5. Hopes for Expansion
- Ridner intends to expand the meadow areas, further enhancing support for pollinators.
- “So soon the campus will be abuzz with butterflies, bees and birds.” (Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, 01:10)
6. Community and Environmental Benefits
- “It's going to help the environment. It's going to do a lot of good for us.” (Josh Ridner, 01:16)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
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“At Michigan State University, the roar of lawnmowers is being replaced by the sound of buzzing bees.”
— Dr. Anthony Leiserowitz, 00:05
-
“We put some butterfly weed and joe pye weed. There’s blazing star, bee balm, mountain mint, black eyed Susan.”
— Josh Ridner, 00:42
-
“We’re only doing the mowing essentially once a year as opposed to... 24 to 28 times a year.”
— Josh Ridner, 00:57
-
“It's going to help the environment. It's going to do a lot of good for us.”
— Josh Ridner, 01:16
Timeline of Key Segments
- [00:01]–[00:18]: Introduction to the project and collaboration with the entomology department
- [00:42]–[00:50]: List of pollinator-friendly plants introduced
- [00:50]–[01:10]: Discussion of environmental impact, reduction in mowing, and cost savings
- [01:10]–[01:16]: Ridner’s hopes to expand the effort
- [01:16]–[01:20]: Summary of anticipated environmental benefits
Tone and Takeaway
Uplifting, practical, and rooted in real campus-life change, the episode delivers a hopeful message: small, well-planned shifts in landscaping can yield significant environmental benefits, support declining pollinator populations, reduce carbon emissions, and save money—all while making the campus more vibrant and ‘abuzz’ with life.
