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Cover crops
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Snags
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Excavated soil
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Gardens
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Riparian buffers
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Fallow and unproductive land
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Crops
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Artwork © Andrew Holder/Xerces Society
Step 1- Recognize Resource: Habitat patches
Step 2 - Adapt Current Practices
Make simple changes.
For example:
• Protect and value habitat
• Create pesticide buffers and adjust application methods to do least harm
• Do not overspray habitat
• Maximize untilled areas
• Maintain floral consistency from year to year
• Allow crops to bolt
• Reconsider what is a weed
Photo: Matthew Shepherd
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Forage patches
Photo: NRCS/Ron Nichols
Choose a diversity of native or naturalized plants that:
• Provide abundant nectar & pollen
• Bloom throughout the year, especially early and late
• Can serve as a “bridge” between crops
TAXA APRIL MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEP OCT
Colletes (inaequalis, validis)
Andrena
Agochlora pura
Agochlorella striata
Halictus (females)
Lasioglossum (females)
Osmia
Bombus
© Data from Steve Javorek, Agriculture Canada
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Forage patches
Select plants that provide forage to support bees before and after crop bloom.
Example: flight periods of native bees in relation to blueberry bloom.
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Forage patches
Photos: Matthew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan, Tim Dring, Berry Botanic Garden
Retain or create bare soil.
• Keep areas of bare ground
• Maximize untilled areas
• Plant native bunch grasses
• Clear away some plants from well drained slopes
• Increase use of no-till farming techniques
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Ground nests
Photos: Mace Vaughan, Matthew Shepherd
No-till and squash
• Virginia: No-till farms hosted three times more native squash bees than did conventional farms
Photo: Bob Hammond, CO Coop Ext
© James Cane
Shuler, et al. 2005. Farming Practices Influence Wild Pollinator Populations on Squash and Pumpkin. Journal of Economic Entomology. 98(3):790-795
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Ground nests
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Tunnel nests
Retain or create tunnels
• Protect snags wherever possible
• Provide artificial nests?
Photos: Mace Vaughan; Katharina Ullman
Photos: Jeff Adams; Matthew Shepherd; Mace Vaughan
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Wood nests
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Bumble bee nests
Photos: Matthew Shepherd; NRCS/Lynn Betts
Retain or create nest sites.
• Grassy margins
• Maximize “wild” areas on and around farm
• Provide artificial nests
Pesticides cause significant damage to pollinator insect populations.
• Prevent overspray or drift onto adjacent habitat
• Use most targeted application
• Use active ingredients with least impact on bees
• Don’t spray on plants in bloom
• Spray at night and when dry
• Consider alternatives: Pheromone traps and baits Pest-resistant crops
Surround
Step 3 - Enhance Habitat: Reduce pesticide risk
Paying for New Pollinator Habitat
The 2008 Farm Bill:
• Makes pollinators and their habitat a priority for every USDA land manager and conservationist (NRCS & FSA)
• Encourages the inclusion of pollinator habitat in all USDA-administered conservation programs
Photo: Eric Mader
Financial Programs Available to Growers
Farm Bill Conservation Programs:
• EQIP, WHIP, CSP, CRP, CREP, SAFE, GRP, WRP, etc
Conservation Practices:
More than thirty NRCS conservation practices can include habitat for pollinators.
New: CA Pollinator hedgerow• Option 1: Hedgerow ($1.53/ft)
• Option 2: Wildlife hedgerow ($1.65/ft)
• Option 3: Pollinator Hedgerow ($4.47/ft)
Photo: John Anderson, Hedgerow Farms
Case Study: Willamette Valley berry farm
EQIP cost share:
340 Cover Crop
327 Conservation Cover
Photo: NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs
Case Study: Willamette Valley berry farm
Other practices that apply:
380 Windbreak/Shelterbelt Establishment
612 Tree/Shrub Establishment
Photo: NRCS
NRCS Conservation Programs
• NEW: Draft Using Farm Bill Programs for Pollinator Conservation
• Farming for Pollinators brochure
• California Technology Note (in development)
Further Information: NRCS
Further Information: Xerces Society
• Xerces Society publications
• www.xerces.org
• (503) 232-6639
A diverse community of wild native bees can provide significant pollination for many crops.
Habitat can support wild pollinators as well as managed native and honey bees:• plant forage patches• create nest sites• minimize pesticide risk
Farm Bill conservation programs can be used to create change on the ground for pollinators.
Take Home Message
Photo: Mace Vaughan
www.xerces.org (follow links to pollinator program)
Thanks
Photo: Mace Vaughan
Alexis Vertolli and Butte County RCD
Many excellent scientists and farmers
Financial support from Xerces Society Members NRCS: CA state, West National
Tech Center, Ag Wildlife Conservation Center
CS Fund Columbia Foundation Turner Foundation Dudley Foundation Bullitt Foundation Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund Richard and Rhoda Goldman
Foundation Panta Rhea Foundation
The New Farm Bill
Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) (p. 140) (3) In determining the amount and rate of payments under paragraph (2)(B), the Secretary may accord great significance to a practice that, as determined by the Secretary, promotes—
(A) residue management; (B) nutrient management; (C) air quality management; (D) invasive species management; (E) pollinator habitat; (F) animal carcass management…
Photo: Mace Vaughan
The New Farm Bill
Administrative Requirements for Conservation Programs (P. 161) (h) ENCOURAGEMENT OF POLLINATOR HABITAT DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION.—In carrying out any conservation program administered by the Secretary, the Secretary may, as appropriate, encourage—
(1) the development of habitat for native and managed pollinators; and (2) the use of conservation practices that benefit native and managed pollinators.
Photo: Mace Vaughan