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University official's 'bee beard' raises eyebrows, awareness

Washington State University Provost Dan Bernardo braved a "beard of bees" literally in order to promote awareness and raise funds for research. (WSU CAHNRS/YouTube)

PULLMAN, Wash. — To raise honey bee health awareness, Washington State University Provost Dan Bernardo wore some bees.

In a time-lapse video, Bernardo allowed thousands of honey bees to form a beard on his face.

It was a part of a honey bee health kick-off campaign.

"It's very noisy, maybe a little nerve-wracking, but I wasn't nervous," Bernardo said.

The campaign is also to fund a new honey bee and pollinator research center at WSU.

The school needs $16 million to build the 15,000-square-foot research facility.

Private donations are expected to fund the project.

WSU Department of Entomology and bee scientist Steve Sheppard said, "Bees are vital to our food systems. This building will help us better support colony health and improve Washington agriculture."

It is said the new facility will include a screened observation for the public to watch bees in demonstration gardens.