On April 9th, a colony of migrating bees took refuge under the awning of the auditorium at Carl Hayden Community High School. Exterminators determined the colony would move on after resting, but because their migratory pause can sometimes take two or more days, the colony was exterminated the next morning. 

Currently, district directors are working to add bee relocation specialists to the approved vendor list so that, in future instances of bee migration, alternatives to extermination are available. 

Bees are essential pollinators and are pivotal to the health of the ecosystem and environment. The decline of bees in recent years puts plant biodiversity at imminent risk and threatens the overall health of the planet. 

Students Preventing Animal Cruelty is asking the Phoenix Union High School District Governing Board to pass a resolution in alignment with our Core Values of Compassion, Collaboration, Commitment, Courage, Creativity, and Consciousness to establish a preference for the humane removal of bee colonies and to instruct relevant departments to work with bee relocation specialists whenever feasible.  

Please support this petition to ensure timely protections are in place for the next migratory bee colony!