Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Course

Big Flats, New York
September 13th, 2012
9:30 am - 3:30 pm EDT

The 2008 Farm Bill makes pollinators and their habitat a conservation priority for USDA.  This day-long Short Course will equip conservationists, land managers, farm educators, and agricultural professionals with the latest science-based approaches to increasing crop security and reversing the trend of pollinator decline, especially in heavily managed agricultural landscapes.

Pollinators are essential to our environment. The ecological service they provide is necessary for the reproduction of more than 85 percent of the world's flowering plants and is fundamental to agriculture and natural ecosystems. More than two-thirds of the world's crop species are dependent on pollination, with an annual estimated value of $18 to $27 billion in the United States alone. Beyond agriculture, pollinators are keystone species in most terrestrial ecosystems, since their activities are ultimately responsible for the seeds and fruits that feed everything from songbirds to black bears. Conservation of pollinating insects is critically important to preserving both wider biodiversity, as well as agriculture.

Pollinator Conservation Toolkits and other Xerces' books and publications will be available for purchase at the course (cash and check only).

The Xerces Society is offering similar Pollinator Conservation Planning Short Courses across the country. Visit our online events page to view up-to-date short course information. If you would like to receive announcements about upcoming short courses, please email shortcourses@xerces.org. Be sure to include the following information: name, affiliation, mailing address, phone number, and the state(s) for which you would like to receive announcements.

Continuing Education Credits are available!

You can earn up to 4.5 CCA/CEU credits from this course. One credit for integrated pest management and 3.5 credits for crop management. Make sure to bring your certified crop advisor number with you to the course in order to receive credit.

SHORT COURSE TRAINING SKILLS AND OBJECTIVES

• Awareness of various federal programs and funding available for pollinator conservation.
• Identify approaches to increase and enhance pollinator diversity on the land.
• Knowledge of the current best management practices that minimize land-use impacts on pollinators.
• Ability to assess pollinator habitat and to identify habitat deficiencies.
• Ability to make recommendations to farmers and land managers that conserve pollinators (including
  subjects such as tillage, pesticide use, irrigation, burning, grazing, and cover cropping).
• Ability to design and implement habitat improvements, such as native plant restoration and nest site enhancements.

COURSE AGENDA

9:30 am - 9:40 am                 
Arrive and sign-in.

9:45 am - 12:00 pm               
Speakers.

12:00 pm - 12:45 pm            
Lunch.

12:45 pm -2:45 pm               
Tour of the USDA NRCS Big Flats Plant Materials Center pollinator enhancement  wildflower projects.

2:45 pm - 3:30 pm                
Speakers.

SPEAKERS AND TOPICS

Jolie Goldenetz Dollar – Pollinator Habitat Restoration Specialist, The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation – Protection, establishment, and management of pollinator habitat.

Mia Park – Bryan Danforth Lab, Cornell University - The role and importance of native bees in apple pollination.

Dave Biddinger Lab, Pennsylvania State University – Integrating pollinator habitat in farm and orchard systems.

Alan Taylor – Professor of Seed Science and Technology, New York State Agriculture Experiment Station, Cornell University – Seed science and technology of non-crop plants to attract pollinator species.

Shawnna Clark – Natural Resources Specialist, Big Flats Plant Materials Center – Tour of pollinator habitat test plots at PMC and lessons learned.

Paul Salon – Plant Materials Specialist, USDA-NRCS – Specifics on pollinator habitat establishment.

Tour of Big Flats Plant Materials Center pollinator enhancement wildflower projects: Time of seeding study with 4 dates and 60 species, weed control study, pollinator garden, and warm season grass plantings.

ABOUT THE XERCES SOCIETY

The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation is an international nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. The Society's Pollinator Conservation Program was launched in 1996, and works with leading native pollinator ecologists to translate the latest research findings into on-the-ground conservation. More information about the Xerces Society is available at www.xerces.org.