At WCS, we take immense pride in our students’ initiatives to make a difference in the world. Katelyn Bruce, a WCS freshman and Girl Scout, undertook one such remarkable project. Working through the Girl Scout Silver Award Project, Katelyn partnered with a fellow Cadette to design and build a bee hotel to support and protect solitary bees.

These crucial pollinators are equally—if not more—effective than honeybees. Katelyn learned that a single solitary bee can pollinate as many as 100 honeybees, making them essential to the health of our ecosystems. However, these bees do not live in hives, and their declining population is a growing concern. Recognizing this, Katelyn and her project partner Camila set out to create a safe habitat to help these important pollinators thrive.

With support from the Bellaire City Council and guidance from Joyce Gigout, a respected member of the Bellaire Environmental Sustainability Board and a bee expert, the girls designed and built a specialized structure entirely made from natural materials. The “bee hotel” attracts solitary bees and provides them shelter and nesting space among the flowers in Mulberry Park. In addition, the project involved creating coloring pages and an informational webpage about solitary bees.

The eco-friendly initiative also offered Katelyn valuable learning experiences. Throughout the project, she honed essential life skills, such as communication, collaboration, and problem-solving. By working with local officials and environmental experts, she gained practical experience in advocacy and sustainability, which prepared her to be a responsible and proactive leader.

Katelyn’s project was recently featured in an online article by The Buzz Magazines. Her work is a powerful reminder that young people can make a meaningful impact. Congratulations on earning the Girl Scouts’ highest honor for Cadettes, Katelyn—your WCS community is proud of you!